[Rupture of the sinus of Valsalva aneurysm complicated by infective endocarditis -- diagnosis difficulties].

Abstract

Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva is a rare congenital heart disease. It constitutes about 0.14%-1.5% of congenital heart surgery cases. Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva can be asymptomatic for many years. Only rupture of the sinus of Valsalva aneurysm leads to hemodynamic disturbances which in turn causes rapid deterioration of patient clinical condition. Some of the congenital heart diseases can be complicated by of infective endocarditis. This case report concerns the rupture of the sinus of Valsalva aneurysm in a 45 year old woman, which caused infective endocarditis on the tricuspid valve, which has been initially diagnosed as a complication of congenital heart disease in the form of the intraventricular defect.