Mitral-Aortic Intervalvular Fibrosa Pseudoaneurysm

Pseudoaneurysm of the mitral aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF-P) usually ensues as a complication of endocarditis or aortic valve surgery. When large, symptomatic or related to complications (rupture, compression of adjacent structures, embolic events, mitral regurgitation or heart failure) it warrants surgical excision. The natural course of uncomplicated/asymptomatic MAIVF-Ps is largely unknown since most patients are offered surgery. Increased surgical risk imposed by repeat operations in the majority of these patients is an important consideration and conservative treatment should not be excluded in selected cases. Herein we present two illustrative cases of MAIVF-P manifesting with significant arrhythmogenesis and complex endocarditis respectively. Both patients were managed conservatively. By briefly reviewing the existing literature, we discuss important diagnostic and therapeutic issues for MAIVF-Ps. To our knowledge complex ventricular arrhythmia has not been previously described as a prominent manifestation of MAIVF-P.