Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm or fistula: management and outcome

Percutaneous Closure of a Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm under Transesophageal Echocardiography Guidance

•SOVA is a rare cardiac anomaly. •Ruptured SOVA carries a high mortality rate. •SOVA often coexists with other congenital lesions, most commonly VSD and bicuspid AV. •Ruptured SOVA needs repair; percutaneous repair is a safe alternative to surgery. •Echo plays a vital role in both diagnosing SOVA and guiding percutaneous closure.

Sudden Death Due to Rupture of Aneurysm of Sinus Valsalva: An Autopsy Case

ABSTRACT

Aneurysm of sinus Valsalva is a defined as dilatation of the sinuses located between the aortic valve annulus and the sinotubular junction and mostly found in the right coronary sinus. It can be either congenital or acquired. This condition is usually asymptomatic unless it can cause intracardiac rupture or aortic valve insufficiency. Extracardiac rupture and associated fatal cases of cardiac tamponade are extremely rare. Our case is one of the rare cases in the literature that was diagnosed during autopsy. Our case is 65-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension suddenly fell ill after swimming in the sea. On gross examination of heart, there was an aneurysmatic enlargement of the right sinus Valsalva measuring 4.5 × 4 cm with a hemorrhagic appearance on the outer surface and a 0.3 cm rupture area. Histopathological examination revealed hemorrhage in and around the aneurysm wall.

Left coronary sinus of valsalva aneurysm dissecting into interventricular septum: a case report

BACKGROUND

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is an extremely rare condition, and its rupture causes acute symptoms such as chest pain and dyspnea. Ruptured SVA is frequently associated with other congenital defects.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 37-year-old male presented with SVA originating from the left coronary sinus that ruptured into the interventricular septum. SVA was diagnosed by echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and confirmed during the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

SVA is a rare cardiac abnormality which can lead to severe clinical symptoms upon rupture. Immediate surgery is necessary to repair the ruptured SVA.

Delayed aorto-atrial fistula-a rare complication of tricuspid valve endocarditis

A patient with a history of endocarditis developed a fistula between the aorta and right atrium requiring surgical repair. The patient underwent surgical intervention with closure of the fistula using an autologous pericardial patch and primary repair. This report is significant because a rare surgical pathology is visualized clearly and provides an educational value to aid other clinicians in the recognition and management of this unusual diagnosis.

Case Report: Myocardial dissection caused by ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm in association with a bicuspid aortic valve

In this report, we present a case of left-right sinus fusion in a Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSVA) that perforated into the myocardium, giving rise to myocardial dissection. The existence of an anomalous bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is contemplated as a potential etiological element in this context. Employing multimodal imaging modalities, encompassing transthoracic echocardiography and computed tomography (CT), facilitated the visualization of a dissecting hematoma situated within the myocardium subsequent to the RSVA. Following this, our patient underwent an Cabrol surgical intervention, received patch repair, and underwent mitral valve annuloplasty, during which a three-year period transpired without the occurrence of any deleterious cardiac events. In summary, this report establishes the cornerstone for the surgical intervention of RSVA, shedding light on the efficacious handling of RSVA-associated myocardial dissection. It posits that the presence of a BAV may serve as a predisposing factor to RSVA rupture, potentially elevating the susceptibility to myocardial dissection. The utilization of diverse multimodal imaging methodologies played an indispensable role in the detection of a hematoma within the myocardial tissue subsequent to the RSVA rupture. The uneventful three-year postoperative follow-up of the patient underscores the efficacy of the undertaken interventions.

A Case of Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm Rupture Causing Cardiogenic Shock

A sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is an abnormal dilation between the aortic valve annulus and sinotubular junction resulting from weakness in the elastic lamina. In the vast majority of cases, SVAs are asymptomatic and are incidentally detected on echocardiogram imaging. In some cases, they can rupture and lead to an intracardiac shunt. Sudden rupture of a high-flow aneurysm can lead to significant hemodynamic compromise and a high fatality rate if not diagnosed early and intervened upon. We present the case of a 68-year-old male who presented with symptoms of heart failure and later rapidly deteriorated due to a sudden spontaneous rupture of the SVA leading to cardiogenic shock. In our case, timely identification and intervention led to a good outcome for our patient. We also present echocardiogram images and videos to educate the readers further about diagnosing SVA. With this case report, we would like to help clinicians and researchers expand their understanding of the condition and treatment outcomes.

Medium-term outcomes of a modified technique for RSOV-VSD subset

Rupture of sinus of Valsalva (RSOV) aneurysm to right ventricular outflow tract or main pulmonary artery is commonly associated with subaortic ventricular septal defect (VSD). A standard surgical approach described is double patch closure. We have adopted the principle of transaortic direct closure of VSD with prosthetic patch closure of sinus defect; this novel technique is used for past 15 years with good long-term results. We believe this technique appropriately addresses the embryo-pathological basis of RSOV-VSD complex.

Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with dynamic aortic regurgitation

The ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) can present with dynamic aortic regurgitation (AR). Hemodynamic changes elicited by induction of general anesthesia can lead to dynamic AR in setting of ruptured SVA. Perioperative echocardiography is critical in understanding the etiology of AR and in guiding surgical decision-making. If the aortic valve is structurally normal, AR may resolve following patch repair of the SVA rupture defect. Conventional measures of assessing AR severity are not accurate with continuous left-to-right flow across a ruptured SVA.

Left Ventricular Giant Aneurysm Caused by Congenital Syphilis Causing Severe Outflow Tract Obstruction

We present the exceedingly rare case of an 18-year-old boy with recurrent syncope attacks and dyspnea at rest for 3 weeks. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a giant aneurysm dilatation occupying the left ventricular outflow tract. The intraoperative finding was a giant thick-walled unruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva from the right coronary cusp. The roof of the aneurysm was excised and the defect was repaired, sparing the aortic valve. Histopathology analysis from the roof of the wall of the aneurysm revealed features of endarteritis obliterans of the vasa vasora in keeping with syphilitic infection with aneurysmal dilation. A rapid plasma reagin test was reactive.

Rupture of the right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm and formation of ventricular septal dissection and third-degree atrioventricular block: A case report

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a rare congenital or acquired cardiac structural abnormality. The sinus of Valsalva aneurysm refers to the local development defect of the aortic sinus wall. Under aortic hypertension, the sinus wall becomes thinner and expands outward. Its clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic to severe life-threatening complications caused by compression or rupture of important surrounding structures. A few cases of aortic aneurysm sinus with arrhythmias have been reported, including complete heart block. Here, we present the case of a 50-year-old male patient with recurrent syncope due to a third-degree atrioventricular block. We found a right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm that ruptured into the basal segment of the interventricular septum and formed a basal septal dissection on echocardiography, which could have caused a third-degree atrioventricular block. This case report highlights the importance of finding secondary etiologies in the sudden or transient onset of third-degree atrioventricular block and using echocardiography to evaluate patients with heart block.

Sinus of valsalva aneurysm: A single institutional experience with 216 patients over 30 years

BACKGROUND

Sinus of valsalva aneurysm (SVA) with rupture is a rare cardiac anomaly which can be congenital or acquired with reported incidence of 0.46%-3.57% among Asians population.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to analyze 30 years of single institutional surgical experience in management of 216 cases with SVAs from 1992 till date.

METHODS

Age group was from 6 to 64 years (mean: 32.5 ± 11 years) with male to female ratio of 2.2:1. The aneurysms originated from right coronary sinus in 181 cases (83.79%), noncoronary sinus in 35 cases (15.74%) and ruptured into the right ventricle in 149 cases (68.98%), right atrium in 59 cases (27.31%). Bicameral approach was used in majority of the cases (n = 213, 98.61%). Aneurysms were repaired using Dacron patch in 173 cases (80.09%) and direct closure in 43 cases (19.9%). Associated ventricular septal defect was closed with Dacron patch in 123 cases (56.94%). Aortic valve was replaced in 21 cases (9.72%) and aortic valve repair was performed in 14 cases (6.48%) for associated Aortic regurgitation.

RESULTS

There were no perioperative hospital deaths. Follow-up was available in 204 patients (94.44%) ranging from 2 to 26 years (mean: 10 ± 5.6 years). Two deaths (0.92%) occurred during the postoperative follow-up period. The actual survival was 99.5% at 1 year, 99% at 5 and 10 years.

CONCLUSION

Long term results of surgically repaired SVAs are good with low morbidity (3.24%) and mortality (0.92%) even when associated with major cardiac anomalies. Aortic valve repair and replacement both are equally feasible alternatives for management of moderate to severe aortic regurgitation with associated merits and demerits.

Case report: Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock caused by a giant right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm and right coronary artery compression

A sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare aortic disease that may be congenital or acquired. Patients with an intact SVA are usually asymptomatic, whereas a ruptured SVA may cause acute chest pain and dyspnea. We present a rare case of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock in a 51-year-old man. Emergency coronary angiography revealed a giant aneurysm with an absence of flow in the right coronary artery. Both two-dimensional echocardiography and computed tomography angiography showed a giant right SVA, which ruptured into the pericardial sac and led to extrinsic compression of the right coronary artery. Surgical repair combined with coronary bypass grafting was performed. Unfortunately, the patient died from low cardiac output syndrome and postoperative multiple organ failure. This case highlights that the possibility of SVA rupture should be considered in acute myocardial infarction cases and that echocardiography and coronary computed tomography angiography are important in providing an accurate and rapid SVA diagnosis.

A Rare Cause of Shock in a Child Diagnosed by Point-of-Care Ultrasound

ABSTRACT

A 3-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with vomiting and abdominal pain. Point-of-care ultrasound identified a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. We describe a case where point-of-care ultrasound was used to evaluate a child who presented with nonspecific abdominal pain leading to the diagnosis of this rare cardiac condition and life-saving surgical treatment.

An Unusual Cause of Acute Abdominal Pain and Unexplained Dyspnea in a Young Man: A Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm

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SVA is due to weakness of the elastic lamina.

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Rupture can lead to right ventricular and right atrial fistulas.

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TTE is the first-line imaging modality due to portability, convenience, and accuracy.

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Nonstandard views with sweeps are important to define pathologic communications.

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TEE is the modality of choice for structural intervention and surgical planning.

Case report: Total thoracoscopic repair of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm combined with ventricular septal defect

The sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare cardiac anomaly. It can develop into the heart failure if it ruptures, which requires early intervention. However, such congenital anomalies are usually treated using a median sternotomy approach. Here, we report a rare case of SVA combined with a ventricular septal defect in which the patient underwent patch repair of the defects under a total thoracoscopy approach. She was discharged uneventfully and showed no residual shunt or aortic regurgitation postoperatively or at the 12-month follow-up. The total thoracoscopic approach for SVA repair is technically feasible.

Case Report: A Giant Left-Ventricular Intramural Pseudoaneurysm Arise From Ruptured Left Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm

In this report, we present a case study of an extremely rare left sinus Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) rupture into the left-ventricular myocardium. Acute ozone inhalation and long-term hypertension are possible contributors to the condition. Utilizing multimodal cardiovascular imaging techniques [echocardiogram, computed tomography (CT), and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)], a large, left-ventricular, intramural pseudoaneurysm (IPA) arising from the ruptured left SVA, was clearly observed anatomically and functionally. Subsequently, our patient underwent patch repair and valvoplasty which offered an excellent prognosis. This report describes the manifestation of the ruptured left SVA and its possible etiology. This case also emphasizes the need for multimodal imaging for subsequent surgical repair.

A case of ruptured giant sinus of Valsalva aneurysm into the right ventricle in a patient with both atrial and ventricular septal defects

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SOVA) is a rare cardiac defect. In most cases, SOVA presents as an incidental finding during cardiac imaging. A dreadful complication of SOVA is spontaneous rupture, most commonly occurring into the right side of the heart resulting in an abrupt or insidiously progressive congestive heart failure. Ruptured SOVA is associated with poor prognosis with high mortality unless timely surgical intervention is deemed. We present a 23-year-old female who presented with a continuous heart murmur and exertional dyspnea. Transesophageal echocardiogram showed a ruptured 1.8 cm sinus of Valsalva aneurysm of the non-coronary cusp to the right ventricle, which resulted in a significant left-to-right shunt and pulmonary hypertension. Associated cardiac defects included ostium secundum atrial septal defect, peri-membranous ventricular septal defect, and moderate aortic and mitral valve insufficiency. The patient underwent successful surgical correction with significant resolution of the shunt and normalization of the pulmonary pressure. Despite being rare, SOVA can rupture spontaneously, resulting in decompensated heart failure. SOVA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a continuous heart murmur. Early recognition and timely surgical intervention are pivotal in these cases to prevent further clinical deterioration or even death. LEARNING POINTS: Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SOVA) are usually silent until acute rupture. Rupture most commonly occurs into either the right ventricle or right atrium. A new continuous murmur is the most striking physical finding; it is always significant and must prompt urgent echocardiography to facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment. Ruptured SOVA has a poor prognosis with high mortality unless timely surgical intervention is deemed.

Extrinsic compression of coronary and pulmonary vasculature

Coronary artery disease from atherosclerosis induced stenosis remains the leading cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and death worldwide, however extrinsic compression of coronary arteries from adjacent anatomical and pathological structures is an infrequent but important diagnosis to be aware of, especially given the nonspecific symptoms of chest pain that mimic angina in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PHT) and congenital heart disease. Non-invasive CT angiography is an invaluable diagnostic tool for detection of coronary artery compression, pulmonary artery dilatation and pulmonary vascular compression. Although established guidelines are not available for management of left main coronary artery (LMCA) compression syndrome, percutaneous coronary intervention and stent implantation remain a feasible option for the treatment, specifically for patients with a high surgical risk. Treatment of pulmonary vein or artery compression is more varied and determined by etiology. This review article is focused on detailed discussion of extrinsic compression of coronary arteries, mainly the LMCA and brief discussion on pulmonary vasculature compression by surrounding anatomical and pathological entities, with focus on pathophysiology, clinical features, complications and role of imaging in its diagnosis and management.

Sinus of Valsalva Rupture or VSD Shunt: Mystery Solved by Cardiac CT

Unruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva is an asymptomatic pathology and diagnosed incidentally. This extremely rare anomaly can be associated with other congenital cardiac anomalies which can make the diagnosis and prognosis even more complex. We are reporting a case of a 12-year-old boy with progressive dyspnea and episodes of syncope. Multimodality imaging confirmed the diagnosis and paved the way for appropriate surgical treatment options.

Multiple organ dysfunction caused by a ruptured aortic sinus aneurysm: A case report

Aortic sinus aneurysms are mainly congenital malformations that can involve the left, right, and noncoronary sinus. Rupture of the noncoronary sinus aneurysms is rare, and its mechanisms and complications are still imperfectly known due to the rarity of this condition. A case of multiple organ dysfunction caused by a ruptured noncoronary sinus aneurysm has been reported.

Association of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm and congenital ventricular septal defect: a case series

Background

Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSOVA) is rare, and it is more common in Asians. Typically, the patient presents with acute/subacute shortness of breath (SOB) and chest pain. Echocardiography is the gold standard for diagnosis in most of these cases. Surgery has remained the first line of management.

Case summary

We present two cases of RSOVA in which the patients presented to the emergency department with SOB. Their preoperative echocardiography results showed RSOVA into the right ventricle. During surgical repair, ventricular septal defect (VSD) was also found.

Discussion

RSOVA is frequently associated with other congenital anomalies, and most often with VSD. In our cases, we believe that VSDs were missed preoperatively because either the large aneurysmal sacs covered the VSD or there was overlap between the two shunts. Additionally, in the first case, right ventricular pressure was high approaching systemic pressure, which probably reduced the shunt across the VSD. Early intervention is recommended to prevent endocarditis or enlargement of the ruptured aneurysm; long-term results were excellent after surgical repair. Most patients undergo surgery between 20 and 40 years of age, and the reported survival rate is 95% at 20 years. If left untreated, patients typically die of heart failure or endocarditis within 1 year after onset of symptoms.

Surgical Interventions Are Effective for Treating Unruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysms

Background: This study investigates the optimal management for unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (USVAs) combined with other cardiovascular lesions.

Methods: This retrospective study examined 33 USVA patients who underwent surgical repair from February 1, 2007 to January 31, 2012. We analyzed the surgical procedures and the patients' quality of life after surgery. Additionally, echocardiography follow-up was performed before and after the operation.

Results: Most USVAs (87.8%) originated in the right coronary sinus. Aside from one patient who was preoperatively misdiagnosed as having a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA). USVAs of the right coronary sinus were addressed by reinforcing this sinus with a Dacron patch through the right ventricle. USVAs were corrected by aortotomy using an autogenous pericardium patch when they originated in the non-coronary or left coronary sinus. Thirty patients (90.9%) were followed up for 22–119 months. No early death, residual fistula or SVA recurrence were found during the follow-up period. They all had a good quality of life and good heart function (New York Heart Association class I–II).

Conclusions: Active surgical repair of an USVA can be achieved with satisfactory results in patients combined with other cardiovascular lesions.

[Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm presenting as an idiopathic pericardial effusion]

Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva is a rare cardiac condition, which could be either acquired or congenital. The most frequent complication is a rupture into right cavities or more rarely into left cavities or pericardium. Rupture could be either asymptomatic or poorly tolerated with hemodynamic instability, acute heart failure or sudden death. We report the case of a 24-year-old patient with no past medical history presenting with a partially ruptured sinus of Valsalva into the pericardium and in whom the initial diagnosis was idiopathic pericardial effusion; we describe diagnostic modalities and management.

Outcomes of contemporary imaging-guided management of sinus of Valsalva aneurysms

Background

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SVAs) are rare. We assessed the role of multimodality imaging in guiding the contemporary management.

Methods

A single-center retrospective cohort study over a 20-year period was performed.

Results

Between January 1997 and June 2017, 103 patients were diagnosed with SVAs (median age: 58 years). Eighty patients presented with non-ruptured SVAs, and 23 with ruptured SVAs. Seventy-six patients underwent surgery, and 27 were conservatively managed. The median durations of follow-up were: 48 months (surgical group) vs. 37.5 months (conservative group). There was no mortality directly attributable to SVA surgery. There were no late complications in the conservative group. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was the first-line imaging investigation (100.0% in surgical group vs. 92.6% in conservative group, P=0.019). Additional imaging studies included: (I) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE): 93.4% in surgical group vs. 22.2% in conservative group, P<0.001; (II) multi-detector cardiac computed tomography (MDCT): 61.8% in surgical group vs. 37.0% in conservative group, P=0.041; (III) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR): 22.4% in surgical group vs. 14.8% in conservative group, P=0.579. At diagnosis, SVA diameters were: TTE: 4.80 cm (range, 3.30 cm); TEE: 5.40 cm (range, 4.00 cm); MDCT: 5.20 cm (range, 3.90 cm); CMR: 4.80 cm (range, 3.70 cm).

Conclusions

In a 20-year cohort, proper selection for surgery and conservative management resulted in excellent outcomes for SVAs. TTE was the first-line imaging investigation for assessment of SVAs, although many patients underwent an additional imaging investigation. The contemporary outcomes of imaging-guided SVA management were excellent.

Surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: 13-year single center experience

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Untreated ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysms ultimately develop into heart failure, thereby affecting patients' survival. We retrospectively analyzed our 13-year experience of the surgical repair for ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to study the optimal surgical strategy, operative risk and long-term surgical outcome.

METHODS

Twenty-six patients underwent surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm from January 2008 to February 2020. Follow-up data were obtained from the outpatient department records and telephone calls.

RESULTS

Patch closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm was done in all the 26 patients, most often through the transaortic (69%) and dual-chamber approach (23%). Aortic valve repair was done in one patient while seven patients underwent aortic valve replacement for associated significant aortic regurgitation. There was one in-hospital mortality because of noncardiac cause. The median duration of postoperative hospital stay was 8 days (range, 6-11 days). Follow-up data were available for 89% (23/26) patients. The mean follow-up period was 69 ± 43 months (range, 7-147 months). All survivors were in New York Heart Association functional Class I or II. There was no late death. One patient required rehospitalization for recurrent ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. There was no recurrent or new-onset significant aortic regurgitation and prosthesis-related complications in late follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Surgical repair for ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm carries an acceptable low operative risk and excellent long-term outcome. Though high-risk population, an early diagnosis and optimal surgical approach can prevent worsening of symptoms and consequent heart failure.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm presenting with chest pain

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a rare aortic root defect that can be dangerous due to its serious complications. It is defined as dilatation of one or more of the aortic valve sinuses. It is usually asymptomatic, and patients rarely present with chest pain, arrhythmias, or heart failure. We report a 29-year-old man who presented with atypical chest pain of 8 months with a normal cardiovascular exam. His laboratory work was unremarkable. Transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography showed a calcified sinus of Valsalva aneurysm arising from the noncoronary cusp. The patient underwent aneurysm repair surgery with no complications, and his chest pain resolved.

Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysms: A Review with Perioperative Considerations

The sinuses of Valsalva are outpouchings in the aortic root just distal to the aortic valve that serve several physiologic functions. Aneurysm of this segment of the aorta is quite rare and infrequently encountered in clinical practice. Due to the rarity of sinus of Valsalva aneurysms, there is a lack of controlled trials and most of the literature consists of case reports and series. Here, the authors review the currently available literature to discuss the anatomy and normal function of the aortic root, as well as disease pathology and diagnostic imaging considerations. Using reported cases, the authors also will discuss considerations for cardiac anesthesiologists in the perioperative period.

Unusual double-chambered right ventricle induced by ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: A case report

A 54-year-old male with a history of unrepaired ventricular septal defect (VSD) suffered from easy fatigability on exertion. A Levine grade V/VI continuous murmur was auscultated. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) and a significant left-to-right shunting from the ascending aorta to the right ventricle (RV). In addition, a 36 mmHg of pressure gradient was observed between the inflow and outflow tract in the RV, suggesting double-chambered RV (DCRV). Cardiac catheterization also revealed 33 mmHg of the pressure gradient in the mid-potion of the RV, which was coincident with DCRV. A calculated pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio was 3.0. Therefore, the patient was offered surgical repair of the ruptured SVA and VSD, which was successfully performed. During the surgery, an anomalous muscle band, which is usually the cause of DCRV, was not found, instead, a thickened RV free-wall due to the exposure of the left-to-right shunt flow, so-named jet lesion, was found. Therefore, surgical resection of the anomalous muscle band was not required. The protruded SVA toward the RV, the jet lesion, and the increased RV stroke volume, which could induce relative stenosis, were the causes of the unusual DCRV. <Learning objective: A mechanism of an unusual double-chambered right ventricle induced by ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is as follows. One is a morphological stenosis in the right ventricle (RV) due to a protruded SVA toward the RV. The second is a jet lesion; a thickened RV wall induced by the exposure of the shunt flow from the ascending aorta. The third is a relative stenosis due to the increased stroke volume of the RV.>.

Resolution of post-anaesthesia aortic regurgitation by repair of a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: 5 case reports

Background

Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare cardiovascular disease in which some patients exhibit aortic valve insufficiency. SVA repair and valve replacement are usually required for treatment. Here, we report 5 cases of ruptured SVA with severe post-anaesthesia aortic regurgitation (AR). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of ruptured SVA with severe post-anaesthesia AR.

Case presentation:

From 2018 to 2020, there were 5 cases of ruptured SVA with severe AR after anaesthesia in our hospital. The main symptoms were palpitation and shortness of breath. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with colour-flow Doppler showed ruptured aortic sinus aneurysms without AR. Post-anaesthesia echocardiography showed severe AR. Direct patch closure of the ruptured aneurysm resolved the left-to-right shunt and AR, and the aortic valve was not replaced.

Conclusions

Post-anaesthesia AR without obvious structural defects may occur in patients with ruptured SVAs. Valve replacement may not be necessary.

Rupture of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: case report and review of contemporary literature

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm rupture is a rare condition with a great potential for morbidity and mortality if not promptly diagnosed and managed. We present an unusual non-infected sinus of Valsalva aneurysm rupture in a 47-year-old female. This case report, a likely presentation of a late congenital heart defect, highlights the need for a high index of suspicion in a patient with atypical history of congestive cardiac failure.

Surgical repair of a ruptured congenital sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: 10-year experience with 286 cases

OBJECTIVES

Surgical intervention is the main treatment for a ruptured congenital sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA). However, reports on the surgical experience are scarce. We retrospectively analysed the cases of our centre to summarize our 10-year experience.

METHODS

A total of 286 patients who were diagnosed with a congenital ruptured SVA and underwent surgical repair between 2007 and 2016 were identified for the analysis. Follow-up data (mean ± standard deviation: 49.6 ± 34.9 months) were obtained from outpatient department records and telephone calls.

RESULTS

The SVAs originated from the right coronary sinus (79.7%), the non-coronary sinus (19.6%) and the left coronary sinus (0.7%) but ruptured into the right ventricle (58.4%) and the right atrium (41.3%). The most commonly associated deformities were a ventricular septal defect (46.3%), aortic valve regurgitation (33.2%) and tricuspid regurgitation (20.3%). The SVA defect was closed by direct suturing (9.1%) or patching (90.9%) through an incision in the cardiac chamber involved or a transaortic approach. The mean postoperative hospital stay duration was 7.2 days, and 98.6% of the patients were discharged in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. The incidence rate of short-term complications was 5.7%. There were 4 late deaths, and 9 patients required rehospitalization due to surgery-related events. The estimated 10-year survival rate was greater than 90% according to the Kaplan-Meier survival curve.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical repair is an effective and safe treatment for a ruptured SVA. The majority of patients who undergo surgical repair can survive for a long time.

A Short Case Report on Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm

A 35-year-old woman without any history of congenital heart disease presented to our clinic with dyspnea on exertion. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed an eccentric tricuspid regurgitant jet and increased right ventricular systolic pressure. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) revealed a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) arising from the noncoronary sinus that ruptured into the right atrium, leading to the formation of an aorto-right atrial fistula. Right heart catheterization confirmed left to right shunt. The fistulous tract was resected, and the aneurysm repaired surgically. The patient made a good recovery.

A case report: a rare case of severe aortic incompetence

Background

Aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva (SOV) are thin-walled outpouchings most commonly involving the right or non-coronary sinuses. Because they are asymptomatic, they are rarely discovered before they rupture and form an aorto-cardiac fistula. We present a rare case of unruptured aneurysm of the right coronary SOV burrowing into the interventricular septum with severe aortic incompetence and left ventricular dysfunction. To our knowledge, burrowing of the SOV aneurysm (SVA) into the interventricular septum and its large sac-like appearance has never been described using three dimensional (3D) echocardiography before.

Case summary

A 37-year-old man presented to the cardiology outpatient department with complaints of dyspnoea and palpitations (New York Heart Association Class II–III) for the last 6 months. He was evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography which showed a large mobile sac-like structure with irregular borders bulging and prolapsing into the left ventricular cavity with each cardiac cycle along with severe aortic incompetence. On transoesophageal echocardiogram, the right coronary cusp showed malcoaptation with deformed aortic sinus causing severe aortic incompetence. Cardiac computed tomography showed sparing of right coronary artery at the origin. A diagnosis of SVA was made. The patient underwent aortic valve replacement along with partial resection of the aneurysm. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. Follow-up echocardiography after 4 weeks showed well-seated aortic valve prosthesis with residual SVA. The ejection fraction decreased from 46–48% to 36–38%.

Discussion

Comprehensive multimodality imaging can be used for management strategy of SVA.

Ruptured sinus of valsalva presenting late following repair of tetralogy of fallot

Rupture of sinus of valsalva following repair of tetralogy of fallot (TOF) is very rare. It should be suspected as a cause of recurrent or prolonged pleural effusion and congestive cardiac failure in patients who have undergone repair of TOF. We report one such patient.

Acute rupture of a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm into the right atrium: a case report and a narrative review

Background

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare cardiac anomaly which has potential for spontaneous rupture into other cardiac chambers or the pericardial space (depending on its location). A ruptured SVA has a very poor prognosis with high morbidity and mortality. The development of a shunt between the sinus of Valsalva and right-sided cardiac chambers results in a continuous murmur on examination. Our case report is a case of SVA rupture into the right atrium.

Case presentation

In this case report, we describe a 23-year-old patient with an acute onset of chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations and dizziness starting 2 days prior to presentation to the emergency department. The patient was initially treated for presumed pulmonary embolism overnight while awaiting CTPA the next morning. However, further examination by the inpatient medical team demonstrated a continuous machinery cardiac murmur. Subsequent echocardiography demonstrated an acutely ruptured SVA with shunting to the right atrium. Emergency surgical repair resulted in an excellent outcome for the patient.

Conclusion

A thorough clinical history and physical examination is the cornerstone of all medical encounters. An SVA could be asymptomatic until acute rupture. Echocardiography is the preferred initial diagnostic tool. Additional imaging techniques can be used to confirm the diagnosis. In cases of rupture, prognosis is poor and surgical repair is always required.

Percutaneous closure of ruptured noncoronary sinus of Valsalva to right atrium causing severe right heart failure, a case report

In all young and middle-aged patients presenting with symptoms of acute heart failure and new heart murmurs, sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) rupture should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Most of SVAs rupture into the right side of the heart. Percutaneous closure is a less invasive alternative to surgery. A 25-year-old man presented with shortness of breath New York Heart Association class III of nine months' duration with a progressive course. He had a continuous murmur with maximum intensity over the left sternal border and propagated all over the pericardium. Chest radiographs revealed moderate congestion. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms with 3D imaging revealed a shunt between the ruptured noncoronary SVA and the right atrium. Percutaneous closure decided; the wire passed from superior vena caca through the ruptured sinus to the aorta. The distal disc of the device deployed in the aorta and the proximal disc in the right atrium. The ruptured aneurysm closed with no more flow to the right atrium. The patient was discharged from the hospital after two days. In conclusion, device closure of ruptured coronary sinus to the right atrium is feasible and safe. Surgery should be reserved for patients with failed device closure. <Learning objective: The feasibility, safety, and technique of transcatheter closure of ruptured noncoronary sinus of Valsalva to the right atrium. The role of transesophageal echocardiography in ruptured sinus of Valsalva diagnosis and guiding the device closure.>.

Giant unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm successfully managed with valve-sparing procedure - a case report

Background

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is an uncommon cardiac anomaly, with an incidence of less than 1% of open heart surgery cases. Its evolution is most frequently silent, being found incidentally or discovered in the event of its acute rupture. Non-ruptured giant SVAs may cause unusual clinical manifestations, as a consequence of their protrusion into the heart chambers or compression of the coronary vessels and are frequently associated with aortic insufficiency of various degrees of severity. The gold standard treatment for SVAs consists of complete replacement of the aortic root and valve. However, in certain cases, valve-sparing procedures may prove to be a more suitable alternative.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old male patient presented with dyspnea as symptom caused by a large (> 5 cm) right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. The aneurysm was occupying most of the right ventricle and was associated with severe aortic regurgitation. The surgical treatment of the condition involved valve-sparing root reconstruction procedure (remodeling technique), completed with external stabilization of the aortic valve annulus via running suture annuloplasty. Following the uneventful intervention, the patient did well and his status improved. The follow-up transthoracic echocardiography obtained 1 month after surgery showed a fully competent aortic valve with no regurgitation.

Conclusions

Despite complete aortic root and valve replacement being considered the safest approach to large SVAs complicated with aortic insufficiency, valve-sparing procedures should not be overlooked in case of a dilated aortic root with uncalcified aortic valve. Performing valve-sparing by applying a remodeling technique operation completed with annuloplasty reduces aortic valve insufficiency, avoiding side-effects related to implanted valves.

Rupture of Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm into Interventricular Septum: Role of Cardiac CT

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm dissecting and forming sinus tract into interventricular septum is an extremely rare complication of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. Echocardiography and conventional angiography were used earlier to diagnose ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. Cardiac CT has emerged as a valuable non-invasive diagnostic tool for evaluation of complications of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. In this article, we report two cases of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm arising from right and left coronary sinuses into the interventricular septum without aorto-cardiac shunt formation evaluated using 256 slice cardiac CT imaging. After diagnosis on cardiac CT, these findings were confirmed perioperatively and were repaired surgically.

Tumor-like appearance in ruptured sinus of Valsalva with quadricuspid aortic valve

Sinus of Valsalva rarely ruptures due to congenital causes. When it comes to ruptured sinus of Valsalva combined with quadricuspid aortic valve, no cases have so far been reported in Japan. Here, we describe the case of 32-year-old female who developed ruptured sinus of Valsalva with tumor-like appearance. Some of the cases of ruptured sinus of Valsalva show aorta to right atrial tunnel with a windsock aneurysm looking like a tumor by echocardiography. <Learning objective: Sinus of Valsalva rarely ruptures due to congenital causes such as aortic valve anomalies such as quadricuspid aortic valve. Ruptured sinus of Valsalva sometimes shows tumor-like appearance by echocardiography. In such a case, we need to keep in mind that the sinus of Valsalva with aortic valve anomalies rarely ruptured showing a fistulous pouch-like "windsock" in the edge of aneurysm by echocardiography.>.

Surgical Repair of a Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm: A 22-Year Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND

Several reports described the repair of sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SVAs); however, there is still debate regarding the optimal method of operation. We investigated the determinants of the development of significant aortic regurgitation (AR) and long-term survival after surgical repair.

METHODS

Between January 1995 and December 2016, 71 patients (31 females; median age: 33.3 years) underwent surgical SVA repair with (n = 60) or without (n = 11) rupture. Aortic valvuloplasty (AVP) was performed using Trusler's technique in 28 patients (39.4%), and 11 patients (15.5%) underwent aortic valve replacement during the first operation.

RESULTS

There was no early mortality, and three deaths occurred during follow-up (median: 65.4 months). Patients with grade II preoperative AR who underwent AVP tended to develop significant postoperative AR, but freedom from significant AR did not differ statistically (p = 0.387). Among patients who underwent AVP, freedom from significant AR did not differ statistically between those with grades I and II and those with grades III and IV (p = 0.460).

CONCLUSION

Surgical repair of SVA with or without rupture can be performed safely using the dual approach technique. Concomitant aortic valve repair can be performed without difficulty and should be recommended not only for patients with moderate or severe preoperative AR (grades III and IV) but also for those with minimal or mild preoperative AR (grades I and II), whose aortic valve geometry needs correction.

Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm and Gerbode Defects: Patient and Procedural Selection: the Key to Optimising Outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In this review, we reflect on the historical background, clinical features and imaging techniques used to assess Gerbode defects and sinus of Valsalva aneurysms. We aim to review the evolution of treatment strategies and the progression towards less invasive management for these conditions.

RECENT FINDINGS

While transthoracic echocardiography is often diagnostic, transesophageal echocardiography (2D and 3D) has improved our understanding of these defects and allowed us to more accurately define their anatomy. Cardiac MRI provides improved assessment of the physiological impact of defects by quantifying shunt volume. Transcatheter techniques are currently vying with surgery as the mainstay of treatment. New insights are being discovered regarding diagnostic modalities and treatment pathways. Defining criteria for patient selection for catheter or surgical therapy is essential when deciding on the optimum intervention for the individual patient.