Infective endocarditis of the aortic valve complicated by massive pericardial effusion and rupture of a sinus of valsalva into the right atrium

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2004 Aug;17(8):910-2. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2004.04.016.

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) of the aortic valve is most commonly associated with perivalvular invasion and intracardiac fistula formation, which sometimes give rise to unpredictable clinical events. Massive pericardial effusion and aorticocardiac fistula are very rare complications of IE. We present a case in which IE of the aortic valve was initially associated with massive pericardial effusion requiring drainage and later complicated by rupture of a sinus of Valsalva with a fistula into the right atrium without formation of aneurysm. To our knowledge, the concurrent occurrence of these two events in a patient with IE has not been previously reported.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aortic Rupture / complications*
  • Aortic Rupture / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Rupture / surgery
  • Aortic Valve*
  • Echocardiography
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / complications*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnostic imaging
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / surgery
  • Heart Atria
  • Heart Valve Diseases / complications*
  • Heart Valve Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Valve Diseases / microbiology
  • Heart Valve Diseases / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pericardial Effusion / complications*
  • Pericardial Effusion / diagnostic imaging
  • Pericardial Effusion / surgery
  • Sinus of Valsalva*