[A case of left ventricular-right atrial communication complicated with aortic regurgitation caused by active infective endocarditis].

A 63-year-old man with cough and shortness of breath was diagnosed to have active infective endocarditis resulting in acute pulmonary edema with aortic regurgitation caused by a huge vegetation on the noncoronary cusp and left ventricular-right atrial (LV-RA) communication which were demonstrated by the echocardiogram and color doppler method. The LV-RA communication located at the atrioventricular portion of the membranous septum was closed with GoreTex patch through the right atrium combined with the aortic valve replacement with a bileaflet mechanical valve in emergency. The bacteriological studies demonstrated staphylococcus epidermidis. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient is now on regular duty two years after surgery.