Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva

Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva
Classification and external resources
File:Gray497.png Aorta laid open to show the semilunar valves. (Aortic sinus, also known as "sinus of Valsalva", is labeled at upper left.)
ICD-10	Q25.4 (EUROCAT Q25.43)
DiseasesDB	32260
eMedicine	med/2133 ped/2106

Aneurysm of the aortic sinus, also known as the sinus of Valsalva, is comparatively rare. When present, it is usually in either the right (65-85%) or in the noncoronary (10-30%) sinus, rarely in the left (< 5%) sinus.

Causes

This type of aneurysm is typically congenital and may be associated with heart defects. It is sometimes associated with Marfan syndrome or Loeys-Dietz syndrome, but may also result from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, atherosclerosis, syphilis, cystic medial necrosis, chest injury, or infective endocarditis.

Presentation

If unruptured, this type aneurysm may be asymptomatic and therefore go undetected until symptoms appear or medical imaging is performed for other reasons. A ruptured aneurysm leads to Hemopericardium, hypovolemic shock and, if not treated within minutes, will lead to death by exsanguination.

Treatment

Medical therapy of aneurysm of the aortic sinus includes blood pressure control through the use of drugs, such as beta blockers.

Another approach is surgical repair. The determination to perform surgery is usually based upon the diameter of the aortic root, with 5 centimeters being a rule of thumb, and the rate of increase in its size, as determined through repeated echocardiography. (A normal size, by comparison, is 2-3 centimeters.)

Notable cases

In 2005, NBA basketball players Ronny Turiaf and Fred Hoiberg underwent successful surgery to correct enlarged aortic roots.

External links

• VIRTUAL TEE - Synopsis of SOVA with video of 2D and 3D TEE

See also

• Aortic aneurysm