Unruptured aneurysm of the left sinus of valsalva causing coronary insufficiency: case report and review of the literature.

Aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva is extremely rare. Compression of the left coronary artery by such an aneurysm is an unusual complication of this condition and can cause coronary insufficiency. We describe the case of a 75-year-old woman who had an isolated unruptured aneurysm of the left coronary sinus with intraluminal thrombus, which caused coronary artery compression. We performed successful surgical correction by closing the mouth of the aneurysm without aortic valve replacement or coronary artery bypass grafting. A review of the world medical literature revealed 19 cases of sinus of Valsalva aneurysms that hindered the coronary arterial flow. The previously published reports of this rare condition and its treatment are discussed herein.