Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: surgical approaches to complicated cases.
BACKGROUND
The authors herein report surgical experience with the aneurysms of sinus of Valsalva (SVA) complicated by coexisting pathologies.


METHODS
Eight patients aged between 11 and 55 years underwent surgical repair of SVA. The aneurysms originated from the right coronary sinus in four patients, from the non-coronary sinus in four patients and from the left in one patient (one patient had aneurysms originating from both the left and right sinuses). Six of the aneurysms were ruptured into the right atrium (n = 3), right ventricle (n = 2) and left ventricle (n = 2). Aortic insufficiency (AI; n = 3), ventricular septal defect (n = 2), atrial septal defect (n = 4), Marfan's syndrome (n = 2), pulmonary stenosis (n = 1) and aortic stenosis (n = 1) were the coexisting anomalies. Double-chamber exposure (right atrial/ventricle and aortic) was used in all of the patients. Patch closure was preferred for defect closure. In three patients with AI, valve replacement was necessary. Two patients with endocarditis in New York Heart Association classes III-IV underwent urgent operation.


RESULTS
The patient with annular narrowing was the only in-hospital death due to severe infection. The survivors were followed up for 85 months (range: 6-156 months). In two patients with Marfan's syndrome reoperation was necessary. All the surviving patients were asymptomatic with no unfavourable consequences.


CONCLUSIONS
Although SVA can be treated successfully with low operative risk, the factors that influence patient outcome include infective endocarditis, Marfan's syndrome and the preoperative functional status of the patient.
Ozkara
Ahmet
A
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. aozkara@superonline.com
Cetin
Gürkan
G
Mert
Murat
M
Erdem
Can C
CC
Okcün
Baris
B
Günay
Ilhan
I
D000328:Adult; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012850:Sinus of Valsalva; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods