Calcified ventricular aneurysm

Calcified old ventricular aneurysm.
Photograph of a heart specimen obtained at autopsy showing an old septal ventricular aneurysm that has partially calcified. The left ventricular free wall and posterior wall of the left atrium have been divided and retracted to demonstrate the septal surface of the left ventricle and the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve.

The findings in the image above were seen in the anteroseptal left ventricular myocardium of an adult woman who died unexpectedly in non-suspicious circumstances. She was known for coronary artery disease and a remote myocardial infarct.

Examination did indeed reveal a remote anteroseptal myocardial infarct that likely led to the formation of an inchoate aneurysm which subsequently underwent partial calcification, “freezing” it into its final appearance.

Unsurprisingly, another more recent infarct of less than 24 hours of age was also found and likely caused this woman’s death.