Echocardiographic evaluation of aorta to right atrial fistula secondary to ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm

We present the case of a 37 year old male who presented with new onset dyspnea, tachycardia, palpitations, and chest tightness. His initial work up demonstrated a dilated pulmonary artery with reflux of contrast dye in to the IVC. Transthoracic echocardiogram identified a “windsock” appearance indic...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ashley V Fritz, Kathryn S Boles, Archer Kilbourne Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
Series:Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.annals.in/article.asp?issn=0971-9784;year=2018;volume=21;issue=3;spage=313;epage=314;aulast=Fritz
Description
Summary:We present the case of a 37 year old male who presented with new onset dyspnea, tachycardia, palpitations, and chest tightness. His initial work up demonstrated a dilated pulmonary artery with reflux of contrast dye in to the IVC. Transthoracic echocardiogram identified a “windsock” appearance indicating Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) and severe aortic regurgitation. As a result, the patient was taken for emergent surgery where the windsock tissue was surgically repaired with bovine pericardial patch. This case illuminates the uncommon occurrence of SVA and the ability to recognize these findings on multiple imaging modalities including transthoracic, transesophageal two and three dimensional echocardiography as well as direct surgical field visualization.
ISSN:0971-9784