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Left ventricular outflow tract false aneurysm late after aortic valve replacement
Federico Bizzarri1, Lucio Braconi, Alessandra Rossi
1Unita' Operativa di Cardiochirurgia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Careggi, Florence, Italy. fbizzarri@netscape.net
The Heart Surgery Forum
|May 5, 2005
Summary
A rare left ventricular outflow tract pseudoaneurysm occurred 7 years after aortic valve replacement. Surgical repair successfully closed the pseudoaneurysm and reconstructed the aortic root.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Aortic valve replacement is a common procedure for aortic valve disease.
- Late complications after aortic valve replacement can occur, though rare.
- Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) pseudoaneurysms are uncommon but serious complications.
Observation:
- A 77-year-old male presented asymptomatically 7 years post-aortic valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis.
- Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a large cavitary mass behind the aortic wall, suggestive of an LVOT pseudoaneurysm.
- The pseudoaneurysm originated from the aortic wall, adjacent to the prosthetic valve.
Findings:
- The diagnosis of a left ventricular outflow tract pseudoaneurysm was confirmed.
- The pseudoaneurysm's orifice was identified and surgically targeted for closure.
- Successful surgical intervention involved closing the pseudoaneurysm orifice and aortic root reconstruction.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare complications like LVOT pseudoaneurysms in patients with a history of aortic valve replacement.
- Timely diagnosis and surgical management are crucial for favorable outcomes in such cases.
- Aortic root reconstruction with cryopreserved homograft provides a viable option for managing complex post-procedural complications.