Pseudoaneurysm of mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa.

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF) is one of the rare complications of infective endocarditis. Echocardiography plays an important role in the diagnosis of this condition. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is generally superior to the transthoracic approach in the evaluation of the complications resulting from infective endocarditis. In this report, we discuss a case of infective endocarditis complicated by the development of a pseudoaneurysm of the MAIVF. The anatomic relationship of structures contiguous to the MAIVF and the salient echocardiographic findings of this clinical condition are presented. At surgery the diagnosis was confirmed and appropriate treatment instituted. The postoperative course was uncomplicated.