"(Pseudo)cavities inside the heart: What may they unfold?"

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiac Surgery

Background:

• Subvalvular aortic stenosis, often due to a subaortic membrane, increases risk for bacterial endocarditis.
• Bacterial endocarditis typically involves the aortic valve (AoV) or left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT).

Observation:

• A 60-year-old woman presented with an unusual subaortic membrane.
• The patient also had a left Valsalva sinus pseudoaneurysm.

Findings:

• The subaortic membrane was an atypical form.
• The pseudoaneurysm was a complication of endocarditis.

Implications:

• This case expands understanding of endocarditis complications in subvalvular aortic stenosis.
• Highlights the importance of considering rare presentations in diagnosing cardiac infections.
• May inform surgical or medical management strategies for complex aortic pathologies.