Pseudoaneurysm

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

A pseudoaneurysm, also known as a false aneurysm, is an outpouching of a blood vessel involving a defect in the two innermost tissue layers (tunica intima and media). The outermost layer (adventia) may be intact, or alternatively, all three layers may be damaged, with bleeding contained by a blood clot or surrounding structures. True aneurysms in contrast, are vascular outpouchings containing all three tissue layers.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Given the increase in invasive cardiac procedures, damage to all three layers is the more common source of pseudoaneurysm in modern medical settings. Damage to the two innermost layers is more commonly seen following trauma to a vessel. Femoral pseudoaneurysms may complicate up to 8% of vascular interventional procedures.

Pseudoaneuryms of Structures other than Blood Vessels: Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysms

A pseudoaneurysm may also occur in a chamber of the heart following myocardial damage due to ischemia or trauma. An pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle is a potentially lethal complication from a heart attack. After a heart attack, the left ventricular wall of the heart, may rupture.

Although aneurysms and left ventricular aneurysms may involve any wall segment, aneurysms in the posterolateral wall are frequently due to pseudoaneurysms. In contrast, the most common location for a true left ventricular aneurysm involves the apex of the heart.

Prevention

External compression, either manual or device usually do not prevent the pseudoaneurysm from forming once the tunica intima has been damaged.

Treatment

Small pseudoaneurysms can spontaneously clot, while others need definitive treatment. Surgery is considered the gold-standard treatment, although is not without risk in patients with severe cardiovascular disease. Less invasive treatment options, such as Duplex ultrasound-guided compression and percutaneous thrombin injection are available, however, evidence of their efficacy is somewhat limited.