title: [Transesophageal echocardiographic diagnosis of a ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm with right atrium fistula].
abstract: Congenital aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are relatively rare, tending to be most frequent in adults. Untreated, there is a substantial risk of complication due to bacterial endocarditis and, if rupture occurs, rapid and progressive cardiac insufficiency is fatal at short term. We report the case of a 53-year-old male with a ruptured right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, resulting in an anomalous right atrium fistula. Symptoms presented, clinical diagnosis and, above all, transesophageal echocardiography were crucial in the final diagnosis leading to an early and satisfactory surgical intervention. Catheterization and angiography were not definitive. Echocardiographic data are described and a bibliography of relevant research articles is provided.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cardiología del Hospital del Bierzo, Ponferrada, León. mcanchoweb@mixmail.com
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Cancho
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naverrete
mesh_terms: D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005402:Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012850:Sinus of Valsalva / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery