[Difficulties in distinguishing left ventricular aneurysm from pseudoaneurysm. Case report]. / Trudnosci w róznicowaniu rzekomego i prawdziwego tetniaka sciany dolnej serca. Opis przypadku.

A case of 51-year old female with large inferior left ventricular aneurysm developed 3 months after myocardial infarction is presented. The patient demonstrated advanced congestive heart failure and angina. Coronarography revealed amputation of the distal part of 3 coronary vessels without possibility of revascularisation. In ventriculography large inferior wall aneurysm was found. Echocardiography strongly suggest the presence of pseudoaneurysm. During the operation very large real aneurysm arising from inferior wall and apex was found. Postoperative period was complicated by many cardiac and non cardiac events. Authors discuss the problems of proper diagnostic and its influence on decision about surgical management.

Treatment of cerebral embolism in heart surgery.

The results in the treatment of air embolism in open heart surgery are presented. Two cases of gaseous cerebral embolism are described. One of the patients had a period of unconsciousness of 54 hours, the other of 17 days. Therapy included administration of vasoactive drugs (xanthinol nicotinate 1500 mg 2 times daily as an intravenous drip) combined with superficial hypothermia (32 degrees C). In both cases complete recovery was achieved.