Rupture of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: case report

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms are uncommon. Aortic sinus aneurysm may be complicated by endocarditis or rupture. A 26 year old native Ghanaian presented with dyspnoea, raised jugular venous pressure (JVP), tender hepatomegaly, peripheral oedema, a thrill and a continuous murmur at the upper left sternal edge. Two-dimensional doppler echocardiography with colour flow mapping revealed a large aneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva (4 cm diameter) that abutted the right ventricular out-flow tract with distortion of the pulmonary valve. Colour flow revealed left to right shunting of blood from the aortic root into the right atrium. A year later he presented with a febrile illness, weight loss, night sweats and was diagnosed as having culture negative infective endocarditis. Following a course of antibiotics, he underwent successful cardiopulmonary bypass surgery with repair of the ruptured aneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva.