The short life of an aortic cusp aneurysm: a case report

This report describes a 42-year-old man with a history of lymphoma who is admitted with symptoms of chest pain, ST elevation changes, and elevated troponins. Immediate bedside echocardiographic evaluation led to an aborted urgent coronary angiography and a diagnosis of presumed endocarditis. Transesophageal echocardiography (TTE) subsequently revealed an aortic noncoronary cusp aneurysm masking as vegetation. The rapid assessment by TTE and transesophageal echocardiogram prevented an alternate course for this patient's management. We reviewed the necessity of heart catheterization in patients with significantly elevated troponins, pericarditis symptoms, and the rare sighting of aortic valve cusp aneurysms.