Aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva producing obstruction of the left main coronary artery and aortic regurgitation

A 50-year-old male was admitted with dyspnea on exertion and palpitation. On physical examination, a grade 2/6 aortic regurgitant murmur was heard at the left sternal border. A chest roentogenogram showed an oval shadow on the left cardiac border. Digital subtraction angiogram, aortogram and coronary arteriogram revealed an unruptured-large aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva, which compressed the left main coronary artery and produced aortic regurgitation. Surgical correction consisted of obliteration of the orifice of the aneursym with woven Dacron graft patch, aortic valve replacement using SJM23A, and a saphenous vein bypass from the ascending aorta to the left anterior descending coronary artery. Postoperative studies showed complete obliteration of the orifice of the aneurysm, a patent aorto-coronary bypass graft and no perivalvular leakage. This aneurysm was considered congenital in origin, because of no inflammatory and infectious evidence, negative serologic test for syphilis and no aneurysmal dilatation of the ascending aorta.     

Huge sinus of Valsalva aneurysm causing mitral valve incompetence

We describe a case of a large sinus of Valsalva aneurysm originating from the noncoronary sinus. The aneurysm compressed the roof of the left atrium rendering the annulus and the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve severely distorted and, as a result, incompetent. The neck of the aneurysm was closed with a patch from the side of the aortic sinus, but we had to replace the mitral valve as the distorted structure did not resume its original shape even though we opened the aneurysm and debrided all thrombotic material inside the aneurysm.     

Acute aortic regurgitation due to aortic dissection confined to the sinus of Valsalva

A 34-year-old man with severe heart failure was diagnosed with acute aortic regurgitation (AR) by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). However, this differential diagnosis was incomplete. Only transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed an intimal flap, leading to a diagnosis of Stanford type A aortic dissection. No abnormal findings were observed in the ascending aorta by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Aortic dissection confined to the sinus of Valsalva has rarely been reported; however, TEE should still be considered for the differential diagnosis of acute AR, even if there is no evidence of dissection by TTE or contrast-enhanced CT.     

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.     

Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva producing obstruction of the left main coronary artery.

An aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva compressed the left main coronary artery and the patient experienced anginal pain. Surgical correction consisted of obliteration of the orifice of the aneurysm, aortic valve replacement, and a saphenous vein bypass from the ascending aorta to the distal left anterior descending coronary artery. Postoperative studies revealed excellent function of the prosthetic valve, no recurrence of the aneurysm and retrograde filling of the left anterior descending and circumflex coronary arteries. Three years after the operation, the patient is asymptomatic.     

Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm associated with aortic regurgitation caused by hemodynamic effect solely.

We describe a case of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSVA) with moderate aortic regurgitation (AR), which developed on the second day after admission. The AR was caused by a hemodynamic effect solely, in which the shunt blood flow through ruptured site pulled the right aortic cusp away from closure. The pathological mechanism of the AR was clearly visualized by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and the AR was successfully resolved after simple closure of the RSVA without any additional procedure to the aortic valve.     

Aneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva after aortic valve replacement in Takayasu arteritis

We herein report a case with an aneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva, which developed 14 years after an aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic regurgitation caused by Takayasu arteritis. The aortic wall around the right coronary artery ostium showed calcification, as a result, the modified Bentall procedure and coronary artery bypass to the right coronary artery were successfully performed. A pathological study of the resected aortic sinus wall showed a disruption of the elastic fibers in the media, granuloma formation, and a marked proliferation of the collagen fibers in the adventitia, and these findings were compatible with Takayasu arteritis. The development of an aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva late after AVR indicates the necessity of a close and lifelong follow-up for patients with Takayasu arteritis, especially focusing on the aortic root morphology.     

Congenital aortic stenosis with hypoplasia of the left sinus of Valsalva. Anatomic reconstruction of the aortic root

Evaluation of the aortic root in 13 patients with congenital aortic stenosis aged 2.5 to 24 years (mean 8.3 years) has revealed morphologic characteristics of asymmetry of the aortic root caused by a small (hypoplastic) left sinus of Valsalva associated with a supravalvular ridge above the left coronary ostium and dysplasia of the aortic valve. The asymmetry resulted in folding and buckling of the left aortic cusp. The aortic valve was classified as bicuspid in 11 of the 13 patients. Preoperative aortography was characteristic and revealed the diagnosis in all patients. The average left ventricle-aorta systolic pressure gradient was 81 mm Hg. Operative repair consisted of an oblique aortotomy extended in a spiral fashion to the right and posteriorly into the left sinus of Valsalva. Seven patients had further mobilization of the posterior commissure with a second incision to the right of the commissure into the noncoronary sinus. Slightly fused valve commissures were opened in 12 patients. Aortic root reconstruction was accomplished with a spiral Dacron patch and posterior commissural repositioning. Follow-up catheterization at 9 to 35 months (mean 24 months) in five patients demonstrated an average outflow tract systolic gradient of 28 mm Hg and a more symmetrical appearance of the aortic root.     

Acute myocardial infarction due to unruptured aneurysm of left sinus of valsalva with aortic valve regurgitation

This report describes a 35-year-old woman with unruptured aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva presenting as non-ST elevation myocardial infarction due to the compression of the left coronary artery by aneurysm. Cardiac multislice CT and angiogram revealed a large aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva compressing the left main coronary artery. Surgical repair was performed by closing the entrance of the aneurysm and aortic valve replacement. Postoperative coronary flow was restored and thus anginal symptom disappeared.     

Catastrophic myocardial ischemia resulting from a left coronary artery anomaly with an origin in the right sinus of Valsalva

A congenital left coronary artery anomaly originating from the right aortic sinus is a rare congenital defect associated with the risk of sudden death in young individuals. In most cases, the proximal portion of the anomalous left coronary artery exists between the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk, and it has an intramural aortic course; this could critically impair the left coronary flow owing to compression of the anomalous left main trunk between the great vessels during exercise. Herein, we report a 14-year-old boy who experienced cardiac collapse due to an acute myocardial infarction after long-distance running. After resuscitation using percutaneous cardiopulmonary support, computed tomography and coronary angiography revealed an anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery in the right sinus of Valsalva and a proximal course between the aorta and pulmonary trunk. The patient was successfully treated using an unroofing procedure of the intramural left coronary artery.     

Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva with coexistent coronary atherosclerosis

Unruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva coexistent with extensive coronary atherosclerosis was noted in a 65-year-old man. He underwent transaortic patch repair of the aneurysm and quadruple aortocoronary bypass. The essential features of adequate management of this association are discussed.     

Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva resulting from bacterial endocarditis

This report describes a patient in whom an aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva secondary to bacterial endocarditis was successfully repaired. The literature pertaining to this rare condition is reviewed, and a simple and secure method of repair is illustrated.     

Aneurysm of the noncoronary sinus of valsalva associated with aortic regurgitation: report of a case

A 39-year-old man has complained of palpitation and dyspnea since 8 months ago. With aortic regurgitation pointed out in another hospital, he was referred to our hospital for examination. Preoperative ultracardiography (UCG) showed a dilated noncoronary sinus of Valsalva and aortic regurgitation. A daughter aneurysm was found by aortography. There were 2 perforations and 1 pouch at the noncoronary sinus cusp (NCC). The noncoronary sinus of Valsalva was dilated and the orifice to the daughter aneurysm was noticed. The noncoronary sinus of Valsalva was obliterated by suturing a dacron patch on the orifice. The aortic valve was replaced with ATS 23 mm valve. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) showed clot formation outside the patch.