Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic findings in a case of subaortic "fibrous sac"

Jpn Circ J. 1991 Dec;55(12):1200-5. doi: 10.1253/jcj.55.1200.

Abstract

We described a 37-year-old man with a subaortic "fibrous sac", admitted for congestive heart failure. On 2-dimensional echocardiography a saccular structure was seen to extend from the left coronary cusp of the aortic valve to the outflow tract of the left ventricle. By color Doppler imaging, a grade 3 aortic regurgitation was recognized. Aortic regurgitant flow was recorded from the left coronary cusp to the saccular lesion. When congestive heart failure became exacerbated, the repeat examination showed the regurgitant flow passing through the perforated bottom of this lesion and reaching the left ventricular cavity. On microscopic examination of the excised valve, capillary proliferation and inflammatory changes were recognized near the annular region of the left coronary cusp. The edge of the valve leaflet and the other 2 cusps were intact. It is likely that our patient had a mycotic aneurysm near the aortic ring. We speculate that aortic regurgitation followed inflammation. It dilated the left ventricular cavity and contributed to congestive heart failure. Inflammation also weakened the tissue near the annulus, causing it to protrude into the subaortic region thus forming a small aneurysm. It may have grown to become a large saccular structure under high aortic pressure. That is, it became a "giant" endocardial pocket with inflammatory process. Finally, the rupture of this sac caused a massive aortic regurgitation, exacerbating congestive heart failure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aneurysm, Infected / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Valve / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Valve / pathology*
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / etiology
  • Echocardiography*
  • Echocardiography, Doppler
  • Fibrosis
  • Heart Failure / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Failure / etiology
  • Heart Ventricles / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Male