A Rare Case of Mitral-Aortic Intervalvular Fibrosa Pseudoaneurysm Masquerading as a Pseudo-Aortic Regurgitation-A

Akshay H Laguduva1, Omer M Mujahid1, Sandeep Chauhan1

  • 1From the Department of Cardiac Anesthesia and Critical Care, Cardiothoracic Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.

A&A Practice
|July 21, 2025
PubMed

Insights

A rare mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF) aneurysm was identified. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed an unusual aortic regurgitation mechanism, allowing valve-sparing surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Pseudoaneurysms of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF) can arise from endocarditis or aortic valve surgery.
  • Aortic regurgitation (AR) may potentiate MAIVF pseudoaneurysm formation by weakening the fibrosa region.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a unique case of MAIVF aneurysm.
  • To describe an unusual mechanism of AR without primary valvular or root pathology.
  • To highlight the utility of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in surgical planning.

Main Methods:

  • Case presentation of a patient with MAIVF aneurysm.
  • Intraoperative assessment using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Main Results:

  • A pseudoaneurysm of the MAIVF was diagnosed.
  • An atypical mechanism for AR was identified, unrelated to valvular or aortic root disease.
  • Intraoperative TEE findings prompted a modification of the surgical strategy.

Conclusions:

  • MAIVF pseudoaneurysms can present with complex mechanisms of AR.
  • Intraoperative TEE is crucial for accurate diagnosis and surgical decision-making in such cases.
  • Valve-sparing procedures may be feasible when AR has an unusual etiology not involving the valve itself.

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