title: Quadricuspid aortic valve as a cause of severe aortic regurgitation.
abstract: Quadricuspid aortic valves (QAVs) constitute a rare congenital malformation, with an incidence ranging from 0.008 to 0.048%. We report a case of severe aortic regurgitation associated with a QAV, which was diagnosed intraoperatively using transesophageal echocardiography. Since the first case described in 1862, 186 QAVs have been reported. In most cases, QAVs are associated with valve regurgitation, with a concurrent stenosis in some patients, while only a small number of QAVs are functionally normal. Once the diagnosis has been made, echocardiographic follow-up is recommended, as progression to severe valve regurgitation is common. Antibiotic prophylaxis is advisable for dental, and "dirty" surgical procedures, to minimize the risk of infective endocarditis.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Anesthesia Service, Department of Surgical Sciences and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza (MI), Italy. f.sangalli@hsgerardo.org
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sangalli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Formica
authors.forename: Leonello
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Avalli
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paolini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D035583:Rare Diseases