Mitral and aortic valve aneurysms secondary to infective endocarditis: Impressive images of a rare echocardiographic finding

Abstract

Mitral and aortic valve aneurysms are uncommon, but the coexistence of both mitral and aortic valve aneurysms in the same patient is a rather unusual finding in the literature. We report a rare clinical case of a patient with both mitral and aortic valve aneurysms and a rupture of the mitral valve aneurysm, as the main echocardiographic manifestations of infective endocarditis. This clinical case emphasizes infective endocarditis as the most frequent cause of valve aneurysms, reminding that this diagnosis should be suspected even in the absence of vegetations. This case demonstrates that transoesophageal echocardiography plays a major role on diagnosis of valve aneurysms, revealing the rupture of the mitral valve aneurysm and defining this rupture as the main mechanism of mitral valve regurgitation. This case also underlines the role of transoesophageal echocardiography on management decisions, allowing a morphological evaluation of the mitral valve and selection of the appropriate surgical strategy. © The Author 2010.