Retractable congestive heart failure due to sinus valsalva rupture with coexisting gerbode defect: a rare case report

Abstract

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SoVA) is a rare disease with
less than 1% prevalence in the population. Most cases are
asymptomatic, however, significant clinical
manifestations are possible due to fistula formation and
sudden rupture resulting in cardiac shunt. Eventually it
may develop into progressive heart failure with high
morbidity.
We report the case of a 33 year old female patient who
presented with shortness of breath, ascites, and recurring
hospitalisation. The cardiac examination revealed sinus
tachycardia along with loud and continuous murmurs on
the left parasternal border. Several standard diagnostic
procedures could not be performed due to malignant
arrhythmia in supine position. Echocardiography
examination revealed SoV rupture with a gerbode defect,
which was the underlying cause of severe retractable
heart failure.
Keywords: Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm, Supine Position,
Aortic Aneurysm, Heart Septal, Ventricular, Heart
Murmurs, Fistula, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Dyspnoea,
Tachycardia