Doppler echocardiographic detection of a ruptured acquired aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva. Clinical-morphologic correlations

Ruptured aortic cusp aneurysm in infective endocarditis

We describe a patient affected by infective endocarditis with aortic aneurysm, waiting for valve replacement, in which aortic cusp rupture determined sudden heart failure. Diagnosis was performed by serial transthoracic echocardiograms and successful surgical valve replacement was performed in emergency.

Doppler echocardiographic characteristics of sinus of valsalva aneurysms

This study evaluated the efficacy of a comprehensive transthoracic Doppler echocardiographic examination for correct detection of SVA and its associated lesions of VSD and aortic insufficiency. A consecutive series of 36 patients was obtained; all had surgical confirmation of the anatomic defects. The location of the SVA was correctly determined in 97% of patients, and the associated presence of a VSD was correctly determined in 79% of the studies. In the cases in which Doppler was available, all 11 patients with associated aortic insufficiency were detected. In this series 32 patients had right SVA, 3 had noncoronary sinus SVA, and 1 had a left SVA. Relative frequency of the rupture site location corresponded closely to that in previous necropsy studies. It is concluded that transthoracic Doppler echocardiography can correctly localize SVAs and most associated lesions.

Pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root diagnosed by noninvasive imaging: report of a case

Pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root is a rare condition typically diagnosed by the use of cardiac catheterization and aortography or by surgical exploration. This case describes a patient who was shown to have a pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root without evidence of any acquired etiologic factors other than atherosclerotic vascular disease. Two new advanced techniques of noninvasive imaging were used in confirming the diagnosis: transesophageal echocardiography and gated magnetic resonance imaging. This case highlights the value of techniques such as these to reliably assess the heart and great vessels without the need for more invasive procedures.