15- to 30-year follow-up of patients undergoing repair of ruptured congenital aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva

Rupture of a congenital aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva is a rare congenital cardiac malformation. Between 1956 and 1971, we operated on 14 patients aged 9 to 36 years (median, 20 years) for repair of a ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva, and have followed each patient to the present. Two operative and 4 late deaths occurred, 3 following a second cardiac operation and the other from dysrhythmia. Late complications have included development of complete heart block in 2 patients (necessitating permanent pacemaker insertion 11 and 24 years after initial repair), progression of aortic regurgitation in 2 (necessitating valve replacement 9 and 13 years after initial repair), and endocarditis in 1 patient 20 years after repair. Four of the 8 remaining long-term survivors (followed for 15 to 30 years [mean, 23.6 years]) are in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I, and the other 4 are in NYHA Class II. Three of the 5 patients with suture closure (no pledgets or adjacent ventricular septal defect repair) of the ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva sustained recurrent rupture and required repeat closure. Whether the lack of prosthetic material to bolster the repair or inadequate resection of redundant aneurysmal fibrous tissue was responsible for these recurrences cannot be stated. Operative management of patients with ruptured congenital aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva is discussed.     

Surgical treatment and long-term results of aneurysms of Valsalva sinus in 24 cases

Twenty-four patients with aneurysm of Valsalva sinus were surgically repaired over a 23 year period (1965-1988). These patients were ranged 2 to 54 years of age and eleven of them were male. Rupture of aneurysm of Valsalva sinus was combined with aneurysm in 20 cases, ventricular septal defect in 12 cases and aortic regurgitation in 6 cases. At present, our routine operative procedure for ruptured aneurysm is direct closure of the defect with patch closure of aneurysm after resection of the aneurysm, but when the diameter of aneurysm is smaller than 7 mm, direct closure of the defect of the aneurysm was used. Only one patient after patch closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva (Konno type I) required reoperation for penetration into left ventricle. This case might be avoided if patch was sutured to annulus of aortic valve. There were two operative death and one late death. The former died of cerebral infarction and low output syndrome, the latter died of sepsis. The mean follow-up period (+/- standard deviation) was 8.2 +/- 6.0 years. All patients that were followed were thirteen and found to be in New York Heart Association class I.     

Ruptured aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva.

From 1969 to 1989, 15 patients with an aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva underwent operative correction. This represents 0.23% of 6515 cardiac operations with cardiopulmonary bypass during that time. There were 8 males and 7 females ranging in age from 15 to 54 years (mean 35.8 years). Symptoms of congestive heart failure, fatigue and palpitation were common. All patients underwent cardiac catheterization including aortography. Associated lesions included aortic valve regurgitation in 6 patients and a ventricular septal defect in 3 patients. The following connections occurred: right coronary sinus to right ventricle (8 patients), right coronary sinus to both right atrium and right ventricle (1 patient), and noncoronary sinus to right atrium (6 patients). The aneurysm was repaired via aortotomy or through the chamber into which it emptied. The aortic valve was replaced in 2 patients. There were no early or late postoperative deaths. Fourteen patients were in NYHA functional class I at late follow-up (range 0.5 to 20.5 years, mean 8.7 years). There have been no recurrences. Our experience supports the concept that early surgical intervention in patients with ruptured aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva is justified.     

A case report of surgical repair of ruptured aneurysm of sinus valsalva in aged (84 years old)]

An 84-year-old man with ruptured aneurysm of Valsalva sinus was operated. Diagnosis was made by two dimensional echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, and cardiac angiography. A aneurysm was found at the right-coronary sinus region, and ruptured into the right ventricle. The ruptured aneurysm of sinus Valsalva was repaired with direct closure and Woven patch from inside the right ventricle through the pulmonary valve. This case was defined as congenital because there was no sign of inflammatory or atherosclerotic changes in the aorta, aortic valve and aneurysm. The ruptured aneurysm of sinus Valsalva is very rare in aged patients. As far as we know, this patient is one of the oldest cases who underwent successful surgical repair in this country.     

Surgical repair of a sinus of a Valsalva aneurysm ruptured into the left ventricle

A 47-year-old man presented with orthopnea. He had no infection or, in particular, infectious endocarditis. An echocardiogram and multislice computed tomography scan revealed a left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) that had ruptured into the left ventricle, with severe aortic regurgitation. He was diagnosed with ruptured congenital SVA with severe aortic regurgitation and underwent closure of the aneurysmal mouth with a Dacron patch, and concomitant aortic valve replacement. The use of a Dacron patch to close the aneurysmal mouth of a ruptured congenital left SVA has not been reported previously in the medical literature.     

Surgical repair of ruptured aortic sinus of Valsalva aneurysm

Surgical repair of ruptured aortic sinus of Valsalva aneurysm was performed on six patients. The NYHA functional class was I in one case, II in three and III in two cases. All aneurysms had ruptured into the right atrium. Three originated from the right, and three from the non-coronary aortic sinus of Valsalva. The preoperative shunt was 55-200% (mean 118%) of the peripheral cardiac output. At aneurysmal repair, closure of secundum-type atrial septal defect was performed in one case and insertion of a St Jude Medical aortic valve in another. There were no perioperative deaths. Five patients were asymptomatic in the follow-up period (5 months-17 years). One patient died of cardiomyopathy 11 years postoperatively. The long-term results after surgical repair of ruptured aortic sinus of Valsalva aneurysm thus were good, and early operation is recommended in order to avoid congestive heart failure.     

Surgical repair and long-term results in ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm

Thirty-one patients with a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) were operated on between January, 1961, and December, 1987. Twenty-five patients (81%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class III or IV. Coexistent cardiac anomalies included a ventricular septal defect (VSD) in 16 patients (52%) and aortic valve regurgitation in 12 patients (39%). The ruptured SVA originated from the right coronary sinus in 29 patients (94%) and the noncoronary sinus in 2 patients (6%), and drained into the right ventricle in 30 patients (97%). In 6 patients treated recently, we used patches to repair the ruptured SVA and VSD through a double approach, thereby avoiding a ventriculotomy. This method resulted in no recurrent rupture or residual VSD postoperatively. There was one operative death (3%) and 4 late deaths (13%). Of the 26 surviving patients, 22 (85%) were in NYHA Class I at follow-up ranging from 6 months to 26.7 years (mean, 11.1 years). Actuarial survival at 25 years is 85.6 +/- 7.4% (mean +/- standard deviation). Repair of ruptured SVA with a patch through a double approach provides an excellent operative procedure and offers a long-term outcome.     

Ruptured congenital sinus of valsalva aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Rupture of the sinus of Valsalva is rare, and there is a higher incidence of such rupture in Oriental countries than elsewhere. The objective of this study is to present the pathologic features and the clinical outcome after surgery in such patients. METHODS: Between 1980 and 2001, a total of 17 patients (15 males and 2 females) with ruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva underwent surgical intervention at the Tri-Service General Hospital, Taiwan. Their age ranged from 22 to 59 years with a mean of 33.5 years. These surgical operations made up 0.51% of the total cardiac operations (3305) performed during this period. The medical records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The origin of the ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva was the right coronary sinus in 12 patients, the noncoronary sinus in 4, and the left coronary sinus in one patient. The aneurysms ruptured into the right ventricle in 12 patients, into the right atrium in 3 patients, and into the left ventricle in 2 patients. Associated cardiac anomalies were aortic regurgitation in eight patients, ventricular septal defect in seven, and coronary artery fistula in one patient. There was no early postoperative death and one patient underwent a second operation after aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva (ASV) relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The operation for a ruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva carries a low operative risk and results in excellent long-term survival after surgical treatment.     

A case report of aortic valve replacement following ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of valsalva with bicuspid valve

Only three cases of the combination of bicuspid aortic valve and ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva, associated with previously repaired coarctation of aorta, have been reported. A twenty-year-old man with a sudden onset of CHF due to ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva underwent intracardiac repair by direct closure of the sinus Valsalva in combination with patch closure of a subarterial VSD. Although, no AR was detected preoperatively, massive reguratitation occurred after the repair due to subsequent failure of aortic valve coaptation in the present of the bicuspid aortic valve, which was not diagnosed preoperatively. Aortic valve replacement with SJM 25 mm was successfully performed.     

Surgical repair of postoperative left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm dissecting into the interventricular septum

We describe the dissection of the interventricular septum by unruptured aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva in a patient who had undergone aortic valve replacement for rheumatic aortic valve insufficiency 5 years previously. The patient had worn a permanent pacemaker for 1 year to manage complete atrioventricular block. Sufficient information was provided by echocardiography and aortography to confirm the diagnosis. Operative correction consisted of obliteration of the aneurysm sac and closure of the outward orifice with a Dacron patch from the side of the aortic sinus.     

Ruptured aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva in Oriental patients

Between 1964 and 1987, a total of 57 cases of ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva underwent surgical correction at the National Taiwan University Hospital. This represents 0.96% of all cardiac operations. The origin of ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva was the right coronary sinus in 46, the noncoronary sinus in nine, and the left coronary sinus in two. The aneurysms ruptured into the right ventricle in 44, into the right atrium in 11, into the left ventricle in one, and into both the right ventricle and right atrium in one. Associated congenital cardiac anomalies included ventricular septal defect in 30 patients, aortic regurgitation in 20, and infundibular pulmonic stenosis and coarctation of the aorta in one each. Operative death occurred in two patients (3.5%) and one patient had a successful reoperation. The remainder did well following surgery. To compare the differences between Oriental and Western countries in ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva, 361 cases (195 Oriental patients versus 166 Western) were collected from the literature. Analyses of these cases revealed that ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva in Oriental patients compared with Western series is characterized by a higher incidence (5 times), more aneurysms originating from the right coronary sinus (87.9% versus 63.6%), more aneurysm rupturing into the right ventricle (84.2% versus 56.6%), a higher incidence of association with ventricular septal defect (mainly supracristal) (59.0% versus 34.6%), less incidence of association with other congenital cardiac abnormalities (4.1% versus 21.5%), very few instances of rupturing into cardiac chambers other than the right ventricle and right atrium, and less incidence of occurrence in the extremities of ages (the youngest was 7 years in Oriental patients versus 11 months in the Western series). In other words, ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva in Oriental patients is more or less a simple and uniform disease entity in contrast to the more diverse and protean pathologic profiles encountered in Western series. However, both Oriental patient and Western patient series have similar incidences of combination with aortic regurgitation (24.6% versus 20.0%), with 40.4% of Oriental patients and 60.6% of Western patients presenting with intact ventricular septum. Therefore the pathogenetic mechanisms of ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva may at the same time contribute to the development of aortic regurgitation.     

Surgical correction for sinus of Valsalva aneurysm

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of surgical correction of sinuses of Valsalva aneurysms, 24 patients operated on from 1974-1994 were reviewed. Mean age was 42.2+/-16.7 years; 17 were males. METHODS: Right coronary sinus was affected in 13 patients and noncoronary sinus in 8. Intracardiac fistula was detected in 16 patients: into the right atrium in 8; right ventricle in 5; left ventricle in 2; and left atrium in 1. Repair was performed via an aortic approach in 11 patients and a combined aortic and intracardiac approach in 13 patients. Suture closure of the fistula was via the aortic side in 10 cases and the intracardiac side in 6. Ten patients had patch closure via the aortic side. RESULTS: Follow-up was 92% complete at a mean of 8.4 years with 3 late cardiac and 1 noncardiac deaths. Eighty-eight percent of patients are in New York Heart Association functional class I or II; none underwent reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Sinuses of Valsalva aneurysm repair have low operative mortality and morbidity risks with excellent early and late results. Surgical approach is dependent upon the presenting pathology.     

主动脉窦瘤破裂的外科治疗及远期疗效

目的 总结主动脉窦瘤破裂的临床特点及外科疗效,讨论对合并感染性心内膜炎及主动脉瓣关闭不全患者的处理.方法 回顾性分析1997年9月至2007年9月43例主动脉窦瘤破裂患者的临床资料.其中男性32例,女性11例;年龄11～50岁,平均年龄(29.0±11.5)岁.破口源于右冠状动脉窦34例,无冠状动脉窦9例.破入有心室30例,右心房8例,右心室及右心房3例,破人室间隔2例.合并室间隔缺损26例,主动脉瓣关闭不全15例,感染性心内膜炎8例,三尖瓣反流6例,房间隔缺损4例,二尖瓣反流2例,动脉导管未闭2例,肺动脉赘牛物1例.全部患者于心肺转流下行窦瘤修补及合并畸形矫治术.结果 无围手术期死亡.并发症5例,包括急性左心功能衰竭3例,Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞2例.随访6～120个月,平均(68.0±17.7)个月;2例分别于术后第6、8年行主动脉瓣置换术,2例进展为Ⅱ级主动脉瓣父闭小全.结论 主动脉窦瘤破裂外科治疗可获得满意效果.对合并主动脉瓣关闭小全及感染性心内膜炎的患者应早期手术,积极防治术后并发症并长期随访.     

Late disruption of a Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis used for repair of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm of noncoronary cusp

We present a case of disruption of the porcine aortic wall of the 27-mm Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis 5 years after the subcoronary implantation to exclude the sinus of Valsalva aneurysm of the noncoronary cusp. At the urgent reoperation, the inflow suture line was found to be intact, and therefore a new stented valve was sutured with the inflow Dacron cuff after removal of ruptured valve. The subcoronary implantation technique creates a cavity between the prosthetic and native aortic walls filled with hematoma. The outflow suture line dehiscence caused blood flow into the cavity, porcine aortic wall rupture, and leaflet destruction.     

A 32-year experience with surgical repair of sinus of valsalva aneurysms

INTRODUCTION: Sinus of Valsalva (SoV) aneurysms are rare (0.15% to 1.5% CPB cases) and five times more frequent in Asians. Usually congenital, SoV aneurysms arise from the right or noncoronary sinus, are associated with other cardiac defects, and are repaired primarily or with a patch. Acquired SoV aneuryms develop secondary to infection or trauma. Here, we describe our 32-year experience with SoV aneurysm repair in a Western population. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 22 patients who underwent SoV aneurysm repair between 1971 and 2003. Data is presented as mean +/- standard error (median). RESULTS: Dyspnea was the most common presenting symptom. Nineteen of 22 patients were ruptured at the time of operation; three were found incidentally. Fifteen patients had associated cardiac defects including ventricular septal defect (VSD) (6), aortic insufficiency (6), and coarctation (3). One patient, repaired primarily, required reoperation for recurrence. All other patients underwent patch repair. The operative survival was 95% (21/22). There were five known late deaths at 6.6 +/- 2.3 (5.7) years post-repair. Five and ten year survival rates were 84.9 +/- 11% and 59.4 +/- 17%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Observed differences in the sinus of origin, age at presentation, associated cardiac malformations, and mortality in our Western series versus previous Asian cohort studies likely reflect a racial disparity and higher prevalence of acquired versus congenital SoV aneurysms. We recommend a thorough search for a VSD in all cases and use of patch repair, regardless of size, to reduce risk of recurrence.     

室上嵴上室间隔缺损的外科治疗

本文报道５６例室上嵴上室间隔缺损的外科治疗。男３４例，女２２例，年龄３～３９岁。１９例合并主动脉瓣叶脱垂、主动脉瓣关闭不全或佛氏窦瘤破裂。经右房切口修补室缺２例，右室漏斗切口４７例，肺动脉切９７例。直接修补缺损２６例，补片修补３０例。主动脉瓣成形术１例，主动脉瓣置换术５例。５４例全愈出院，死亡２例。作者认为室上嵴上空间隔缺损应尽早手术，以免并发主动脉瓣损害和佛氏窦瘤破裂；中度主动脉瓣关闭不全可行主动脉瓣成形术，采用肺动脉切口优于右室漏斗部切口。     

Surgical repair of the pulmonary trunk aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: Aneurysm formation of the pulmonary trunk is rare and there is controversy about optimal treatment for this disease. The aim of this article is to report four patients with pulmonary trunk aneurysm which were managed by surgical repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1986 to 1997, we performed surgical repair for pulmonary trunk aneurysm in four patients. There was one male and three female patients with a mean age of 63.3 years (range: 54-78 years). Concomitant diseases were cardiac valvular disease in four patients, thoracic aortic dissection in two, atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm in two, and coronary artery disease in one. All patients were in New York Heart Association functional class III preoperatively. Surgical procedures for the pulmonary trunk aneurysm included Dacron graft replacement in two patients and aneurysmorrhaphy in two. Associated procedures were cardiac valvular operation in three patients with four lesions and right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction (RVOTR) in one. RESULTS: There were no operative mortalities and no late deaths with a mean follow-up period of 6.6 years (range: 2.4-10.0 years). One female patient developed recurrent pulmonary trunk aneurysm 9.5 years after aneurysmorrhaphy, and underwent a second operation where Dacron graft replacement of the aneurysm including pulmonary valve replacement was performed successfully. All patients are now leading normal lives. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical management should be considered for large aneurysm of the pulmonary trunk regardless of its etiology and underlying disease to prevent possible rupture with fatal result if the patient has an acceptably low operative risk.     

Patch closure of aortic annulus mycotic aneurysms

Twenty-three patients with bacterial endocarditis and mycotic aneurysms of the aortic annulus were treated between 1978 and 1985. There were 18 men and 5 women ranging from 24 to 72 years old. All patients had congestive heart failure and positive blood cultures as a complication of the endocarditis and were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class III or IV. The aneurysm complicated late prosthetic valve endocarditis in 7 patients and native valve endocarditis in 16. The most common infecting organisms were streptococci (12 patients) and staphylococci (7 patients). The noncoronary sinus was the most frequent site for aneurysm formation. Following debridement of the abscess cavity, the orifice of the aneurysm was closed with a patch of Dacron in 20 patients and autologous pericardium in 3. A prosthetic valve (18 bioprosthetic and 5 mechanical) was secured to the noninfected portion of the native annulus and to the patch at the level of annulus. There were 3 deaths, 1 perioperative and 2 late, each without evidence of residual infection or aortic insufficiency. There are 20 late survivors (87%). After a mean follow-up of 1 year, all patients are in NYHA Functional Class I. Patch closure of mycotic aneurysms involving the aortic annulus permits aggressive debridement of the abscess cavity and affords closure of the orifice without tension. The prosthetic valve can be seated at the level of the native annulus, thus avoiding complicated reconstructive procedures of the aortic root and coronary arteries. This technique is an effective alternative in selected cases of mycotic aneurysms involving the aortic annulus.     

Redo aortic root replacement for prosthetic valve detachment associated with recurrent aneurysm of sinus of valsalva due to aortitis syndrome

We report a case of 44-year-old male with aortitis syndrome who suffered a prosthetic aortic valve detachment and recurrent aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva 5 years after aortic valve replacement and patch closure of non-coronary sinus of Valsalva. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) and angiography revealed severe aortic regurgitation and complicated aneurysm formation of sinus of Valsalva due to prosthetic valve and prosthetic patch dehiscence. Aortic root replacement was performed successfully after induction of steroid therapy to control inflammation. His postoperative course has been uneventful for 18 months.     

Surgical Treatment of the Ruptured Aneurysm of the Aortic Sinuses

Over the past 11 years, 51 patients (36 male, 15 female) underwent operation to correct ruptured sinus of Valsalva at the Shanghai Chest Hospital. Associated lesions were present in 36 patients. All patients had cardiac enlargement, pulmonary plethora, and prominence of the main pulmonary arterial trunk. Preoperative arterial pressure averaged 135/46 mm Hg (range, 200–96/95–0 mm Hg).At operation the cardiac chamber into which the ruptured aneurysm emptied was opened. The projecting aneurysmal sac was resected at its base, leaving a fringe of 2 to 3 mm for suturing. A double-layer suture closure was used, first a row of figure-of-eight sutures, followed by a row of buttressed mattress sutures.Forty-five patients survived operation; 6 died shortly after operation, a perioperative mortality of 11.8%. Follow-up averaged 4 years 8 months. Thirty-eight patients were symptom free and working; 7 had returned to part-time work. There were no late deaths. A grade II systolic murmur persists in 2 patients, and in 1 of them a loud continuous murmur and thrill were both noted. All patients who survived have shown remarkable reduction in cardiothoracic ratio and improvement in symptoms. These results justify early surgical intervention.