A Complex Ventricular Septal Defect Causing Severe Aortic Insufficiency

Abstract

We report a case of a 60-year-old male with decompensated heart failure secondary to severe aortic insufficiency in the setting of a complex ventricular septal defect. The case highlights the use of multimodality imaging, including transthoracic echocardiogram, transesophageal echocardiogram, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, which contributed to the findings and diagnosis of the defect noted and was confirmed during surgery. The images provide an exceptional understanding of a complex ventricular septal defect and the associated pathology, which resulted in severe aortic regurgitation leading to cardiomyopathy. Although traditionally ventricular septal defects can be classified into certain types, our case highlights that some of these defects are very complex and require multimodality imaging for evaluation.