Left ventricular aneurysm in a young patient after electrical injury: A clinical case

Abstract

Introduction

Direct myocardial injuries after electrical injury are rare, with up to 40% of severe electrical injuries suffering fatal arrhythmias. We present a unique case of a left ventricular (LV) aneurysm that developed as a result of electrical injury sustained 13 years earlier.

Case report

Ten years after suffering a significant electrical burn, our patient initially presented with dyspnea and leg edema. Three years later, after worsening heart failure symptoms, he presented and was noted to have a post-traumatic LV aneurysm. Aneurysm repair was performed using the Cooley technique. During 5 years of follow-up, the patient has remained well with normal cardiac function.

Discussion

This clinical case demonstrates that electrical injury could lead to real cardiac injury with the formation of a saccular LV aneurysm with a decrease in LV contractile function and heart failure development in a young patient.