Left ventricular diverticulum, a rare echocardiographic finding: two adult patients and review of the literature

Abstract

Congenital diverticulum of the left ventricle is a very rare cardiac abnormality characterized by a local embryological development failure of the ventricular muscle. It may present as an isolated disorder or may be associated with other cardiac abnormalities. Clinically, it has been reported that it can lead to chest pain, arrhythmias, cardiac rupture, and sudden death, although frequently the course is asymptomatic. This article presents two illustrative cases of left ventricular diverticulum. The diagnosis was made by two-dimensional echocardiography and was confirmed by cardiac catheterization. There were no other thoracoabdominal or cardiac abnormalities. The patient was asymptomatic and surgical resection was not indicated. Given the few cases reported in the medical literature, the information available is scarce; hence, physicians should be trained to make the appropriate diagnosis.