Aortic root abscess with coronary artery involvement: diagnostic and surgical management

Aortic root pseudoaneurysm: a case report and literature review

Pseudoaneurysms of the aortic root are rare. A case of prosthetic aortic valve infection progressing from a confined intramural abscess to a ruptured abscess communicating with the aorta and forming a large pseudoaneurysm is described. Additionally, data from all cases and case series, published between 2000 and 2021, was analyzed. A PUBMED search for the keywords "aortic root mycotic aneurysm," "aortic root abscess AND infective endocarditis," and "aortic root mycotic aneurysm AND infective endocarditis" yielded 152 publications (with 157 cases described): Aortic pseudoaneurysm is more common in males (80.9%, n = 127). Mean age is 51 years (4 months-84 years). The most common symptom is fever (68.5%, n = 102). Mean time until diagnosis is 27.2 days. Embolic complications are present in 17.8% (n = 28) at diagnosis. Most cases are due to valvular infections (n = 72 cases, 45.9%). Prior cardiac surgery is documented in 49.0% (n = 77). The mean time interval for developing aortic root abscess following heart surgery is 32.2 months. 22.3% (n = 35) are immunocompromised. Aetiological agents were Staphylococcus sp. (34.1%, n = 47) and Streptococcus sp. (23.2%, n = 32). Mean antimicrobial therapy lasts 58.5 days. Outcome with surgery is superior to medical treatment: overall inpatient mortality 18.5% (n = 27); with surgery 12.2% (n = 15 out of 123 patients), with only medical management 47.8% (n = 11 out of 23 patients). In conclusion, aortic root pseudoaneurysm occurs most commonly in middle-aged male patients. History of prior aortic procedures is commonly present. Correct diagnosis hinges on detailed history, transoesophageal echocardiography, and computed tomography (CT) aorta. Surgery is the preferred therapeutic option.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-023-01580-x.

Left main compression by an aortic root abscess

A 79-year-old man with severe aortic stenosis, history of coronary artery disease and a recent hospitalization for sepsis presented at our institution following a syncope and angina at rest. Coronary angiography and aortography showed an aortic root abscess, causing left main coronary artery compression. This life-threatening complication of aortic valve endocarditis is rare and requires immediate surgical correction.

Late presentation of aortic root abscess in endocarditis with coronary ischemia

Formation of a large aortic root abscess is an infrequent complication of aortic valve endocarditis in adults. Extrinsic compression of the coronary arteries by this abscess is still rarer. Here, we report a case of a 22-year-old male with aortic root abscess, who presented 2 months after the completion of treatment of endocarditis with exertional angina. Coronary angiogram revealed compression of proximal left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries by the abscess. The patient was successfully treated with pericardial patch exclusion of the abscess cavity and coronary artery bypass graft. The presentation of aortic root abscess with myocardial ischemia as a late complication of treated endocarditis has not been reported earlier.