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Published on: February 8, 2022
Outlet Ventricular Septal Defect in an Elderly Male
Gaurav K Sharma1, Wasey Ali Yadullahi Mir2, Daniela Kovacs1
1Cardiology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, USA.
Insights
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a common heart anomaly. In rare cases, outlet VSD can cause aortic insufficiency, necessitating closure regardless of VSD size.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart anomaly in children and the second most common in adults.
- Hemodynamic compromise in VSD results from abnormal communication between the ventricles, causing shunt formation.
- While most small VSDs close spontaneously in infancy, some persist into adulthood.
Observation:
- This case report details an adult patient with an outlet VSD.
- The VSD led to secondary aortic insufficiency due to aortic valve leaflet prolapse.
- Specifically, the prolapse affected the right coronary cusp (RCC) while sparing the left coronary cusp.
Findings:
- Outlet VSD can cause aortic valve leaflet prolapse.
- Prolapse of the right coronary cusp (RCC) is a significant finding in outlet VSD.
- This prolapse can lead to permanent aortic insufficiency.
Implications:
- Closure of outlet VSD is indicated when associated with aortic insufficiency, irrespective of the VSD size.
- Early recognition and intervention for outlet VSD with RCC prolapse are crucial to prevent irreversible aortic valve damage.
- This case highlights the importance of echocardiographic evaluation for aortic valve function in patients with VSD.
Abstract:
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital cardiac anomaly in children and the second most common congenital cardiac anomaly in adults. The hemodynamic compromise associated with VSD is due to the shunt formation created by the abnormal communication between the right and left ventricles. While 85%-90% of small VSDs close spontaneously during the first year of life, some do not close spontaneously. If spontaneous closure does not occur during childhood, a VSD may persist into adulthood and may first be recognized after the development of a complication. We present a case of outlet VSD with secondary aortic insufficiency due to the prolapse of the aortic valve leaflet, especially in the right coronary cusp (RCC) sparing the left coronary cusp. RCC prolapse is an important finding in outlet VSD as the prolapse has the potential to cause permanent aortic insufficiency and closure is indicated regardless of the size of VSD.
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