Yongzhi Deng1, Zongquan Sun, Nianguo Dong, Xinling Du. 1. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We report and review the clinical characteristics and operative techniques of the rare malformation of congenital cardiac diverticulum in the subaortic valve area. METHODS: Four male patients with congenital ventricular fibrous diverticula in the subaortic valve area are reported. RESULTS: The patients' ages ranged from 4 to 47 years (mean 39 years). The first case was complicated by rupture, pseudoaneurysm formation, and a hemopericardium, and was only diagnosed on the third surgical exploration. The second case was associated with endocarditis involving both aortic and mitral regurgitation. The diverticulum was suspected on 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography and confirmed at surgery. In the third case, the subaortic diverticulum was associated with a rupture of the left cusp of the aortic valve with severe regurgitation. In the fourth case, the diverticulum was located between the aortic and mitral valves with a diameter of approximately 30 mm and was associated with multiple perforations of an aortic valve leaflet and severe regurgitation. There were no other congenital thoracoabdominal or cardiac anomalies. At a mean follow-up of 1 year, all patients were well. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital cardiac diverticulum in the subaortic valve area is a rare anomaly. Transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography are reliable tools for the diagnosis and follow-up. Isolated congenital cardiac diverticula in the subaortic valve area tend to involve a benign clinical process, but may be complicated by spontaneous rupture or endocarditis. Surgical resection is performed when complications require surgical therapy.
OBJECTIVE: We report and review the clinical characteristics and operative techniques of the rare malformation of congenital cardiac diverticulum in the subaortic valve area. METHODS: Four male patients with congenital ventricular fibrous diverticula in the subaortic valve area are reported. RESULTS: The patients' ages ranged from 4 to 47 years (mean 39 years). The first case was complicated by rupture, pseudoaneurysm formation, and a hemopericardium, and was only diagnosed on the third surgical exploration. The second case was associated with endocarditis involving both aortic and mitral regurgitation. The diverticulum was suspected on 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography and confirmed at surgery. In the third case, the subaortic diverticulum was associated with a rupture of the left cusp of the aortic valve with severe regurgitation. In the fourth case, the diverticulum was located between the aortic and mitral valves with a diameter of approximately 30 mm and was associated with multiple perforations of an aortic valve leaflet and severe regurgitation. There were no other congenital thoracoabdominal or cardiac anomalies. At a mean follow-up of 1 year, all patients were well. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital cardiac diverticulum in the subaortic valve area is a rare anomaly. Transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography are reliable tools for the diagnosis and follow-up. Isolated congenital cardiac diverticula in the subaortic valve area tend to involve a benign clinical process, but may be complicated by spontaneous rupture or endocarditis. Surgical resection is performed when complications require surgical therapy.