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.     

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.     

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.     

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 of ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva with bacterial endocarditis

A 21-year-old male with ruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva caused by bacterial endocarditis is presented. The patient complained of palpitation and a attack of fever. Continuous murmur was heard with a thrill at the third intercostal space of the left sternal border. On plain chest x-ray film pulmonary congestion and increase in pulmonary flow were observed. Cardiac catheterization showed step up of oxygen contents at the level of right ventricle and left to right shunt of 36.5%. Aortography demonstrated the aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva ruptured to right ventricle. The operation was performed by right ventricular approach. Aneurysmal sac was resected and its orifice was closed with mattress sutures. Bacteriological examination at the time of operation revealed Staphylococcus aureus. Postoperative course was uneventful.     

A case of a two-chambered right ventricle associated with aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva

A 51-year-old male with a two-chambered right ventricle associated with an aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva, who underwent successful surgical repair without ventriculotomy, is reported. Preoperative right ventriculogram revealed that the right ventricle was divided by the anomalous muscle bundle, and the aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva growing from the right coronary sinus protruded just below the pulmonary valve. The right ventricular pressure was 107/10 mmHg and the pressure gradient between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery was 88 mmHg. Trans-pulmonary arterial resection of the aneurysm of Valsalva sinus was performed and the anomalous muscle bundle was successfully removed through the pulmonary arteriotomy and the right atrial incision. Post-operative right ventricular pressure dropped to 42 mmHg, and there was no stenosis in the right ventricle.     

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.     

Ruptured congenital aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva: surgical technique and long-term follow-up.

Congenital ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva is a rare anomaly usually causing decrease of cardiac performance. Eight patients with a ruptured congenital aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva were operated upon at the University Hospital Zurich between 1970 and 1991. There were four female and four male patients aged from 15 to 48 years (mean, 36 years). Three patients were asymptomatic and five symptomatic. Associated congenital cardiac defects were found in six patients. Surgical techniques consisted of direct suture in seven patients and closure with a Dacron patch in one. A secondary Dacron patch closure was performed on the second postoperative day in a patient with suture insufficiency after direct closure. Associated operations were closure of ventricular septal defect in two patients, aortic valve replacement in two, aortic valve reconstruction in one and aortic valve commissurotomy in one patient. There were no operative deaths. The mean follow-up was 9 years, range 7 months to 17 years. There were two late deaths due to endocarditis and recurrent cerebral embolisation. An operation for a ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva has a low operative risk, but patients remain prone to development of late valvular complications.     

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.     

Adult aortic coarctation discovered incidentally after the rupture of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: combined surgical and interventional approach

Combination of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA), and a coexisting asymptomatic adult aortic isthmic coarctation is extremely rare. The timing and sequence of surgical and/or interventional repair of these two pathologies are controversial. We present a case of a 37-year-old male who was admitted to our department because of severe acute congestive heart failure and signs of ruptured aneurysm of the SV into the right ventricle. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography confirmed the communication between an important right coronary SVA and right ventricle, bicuspid aortic valve, mild aortic regurgitation, and revealed severe aortic coarctation. Because of the severe dilation of right sinus of Valsalva a surgical repair of the ruptured aneurysm was performed. Aortic coarctation was treated four weeks later by a percutaneous stent-graft implantation. This case report supports the concept that hybrid approach is feasible in patients with ruptured SVA and aortic coarctation in adulthood.     

A case of ruptured aneurysm of Valsalva sinus into right atrium with peculiar findings on aortography

A 24-year-old man with ruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva into the right atrium originating from the noncoronary sinus is presented. On aortography through the ascending aorta the right atrium in systolic phase and the right ventricle in diastolic phase were opacified. We considered ruptured aneurysm like a streamer (wind sock) entered into the right ventricle in diastolic phase and into the right atrium in systolic phase. Post-aneurysmectomy course was uneventful, and radiographic examination revealed complete repair of the aneurysm.     

Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva

Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva is a rare cardiac abnormality with congenital origin in most of the cases. If it is located in the right coronary sinus, it usually ruptures into a right heart chamber and frequently a ventricular septal defect (VSD) coexists with this condition. Early diagnosis and immediate surgical treatment can save the patient's life in most cases. All the 3 cases reported in this series had aneurysm of right sinus of Valsalva with associated VSD and mild degree of aortic regurgitation (AR). Two of the cases ruptured aneurysm into the right ventricle. Trans-esophageal echocardiography was used to confirm the diagnosis and all three showed good results with surgery.     

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 treatment of ruptured aneurysm of aortic sinuses and ventricular septal defect. Report of 7 patients

From Dec. 1985 to Oct. 1988, 7 patients with ruptured aneurysm of the aortic sinus and VSD were treated surgically. The aneurysm of the right coronary sinus of Valsalva was ruptured into the right ventricle in 6 patients and that of the non-coronary sinus into the right atrium in another one. All patients survived and murmurs disappeared. Chest X-ray examination 6-18 months after operation showed a normal cardiac-thoracic ratio. The patients resumed their daily activities.     

A case report of ruptured aneurysm of the sinus Valsalva resulted in tricuspid valve endocarditis]

A case of a 42-year-old man with ruptured aneurysm of the sinus Valsalva resulted in tricuspid valve endocarditis was reported. The aneurysm originating from the right sinus Valsalva ruptured into the right atrium, which caused tricuspid valve endocarditis. The aneurysm was closed through right atrial approach. A part of the septal leaflet of tricuspid valve including vegetation was resected and repaired.     

Cardiac tamponade due to a ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of valsalva

BACKGROUND AND AIM: A sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare cardiac anomaly. Rupture of a SVA often causes hemodynamic instability due to intracardiac shunting or cardiac tamponade, therefore immediate diagnosis and urgent treatment are required. METHODS: We report an 18-year-old female with cardiac tamponade due to rupture of a localized aneurysm of the right coronary sinus of Valsalva. No other congenital or acquired cardiac anomalies were found. Neurological observation precluded urgent surgery with heparinization and extracorporeal circulation. RESULTS: Semi-urgently the SVA was successfully resected. CONCLUSIONS: Semi-urgent surgery for a ruptured aneurysm of the Sinus of Valsalva was successful. In selected cases off pump surgery can be contemplated.     

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.     

Rupture of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm into both right atrium and right ventricle. A case report

A young man had a congenital sinus of Valsalva aneurysm originating from the right coronary sinus, complicated by fistulas draining into both right atrium and right ventricle, as well as a congenitally abnormal aortic valve with mild aortic insufficiency. His dramatic clinical presentation, with the sudden appearance of severe biventricular cardiac failure unresponsive to intensive medical therapy, was an important clue to making the correct pre-operative diagnosis. The use of non-invasive techniques, such as phonocardiography and M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography, is highlighted. Full cardiac catheterization was employed to define the cardiac pathophysiology. This was one of the few cases documented in which a catheter could be passed from the aorta into the right ventricle via the fistula connecting these two chambers. The fistulas were closed and the aortic valve replaced. Postoperative investigations confirmed the success of corrective surgery. As far as we are aware this is the first documented case of successful repair of a congenital sinus of Valsalva aneurysm rupturing into both the right atrium and right ventricle, accompanied by aortic insufficiency.     

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 congenital aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and results of surgical corrections

An experience with the management of 27 cases of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is reported from the Bakulev Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Moscow. The right coronary sinus was involved in 23 cases and the noncoronary sinus in four cases. Rupture into the right ventricle occurred in 19 cases, whereas eight ruptures entered the right atrium. Twelve patients had a ventricular defect, and 10 patients had aortic regurgitation, requiring leaflet suspension in five patients or valve replacement in five patients. The surgical management and results are presented.