Aneurysm of Sinus of Valsalva Dissecting into Interventricular Septum: A Possible Cause of Complete Atrioventricular Block

Dissection of the interventricular septum by aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva is a rare lesion and has poor prognosis. However, it can be diagnosed noninvasively with echocardiography and managed well by surgical repair. A 55 year old female was readmitted due to aggravated exertional dyspnea. She was implanted with permanent pace-maker due to complete atrioventricular (AV) block of recent onset at a community hospital. Previous diastolic murmur near aortic area was changed to a new continuous murmur. The diagnosis of an aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva dissected into the interventricular septum was confirmed by routine two-dimensional echocardiography. The neck of the aneurysm was closed primarily with patch and aortic valve replacement was done. The pro-gnosis was good. The finding of AV block of recent onset and obscure origin in a young patient should alert the physician to the possibility of an aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva and warrants systematic echocardiography.

Small Circumscribed Aortic Dissection Complicating Annuloaortic Ectasia in a Non-Marfanoid Patient

Annuloaortic ectasia, cystic medial degeneration of the afflicted aortic wall leading to progressive dilatation, is often accompanied by Marfan's syndrome. Some portions of intimal flap is commonly demonstrated along the aorta in the noninvasive diagnosis of aortic dissection. We report the first case of circumscribed aortic dissection developed in a 28 year old obese non-Marfanoid patient. He was transferred after thrombolytic therapy at a community hospital because of severe chest pain and ST segment elevation. Transthoracic echocardiography showed markedly dilated aortic root, moderate amount of pericardial effusion, mild aortic regurgitation in spite of normal regional wall motion of left ventricle. Intimal flap, characteristic of aortic dissection, was not seen with computed tomography. Intimal tear was demonstrated just above aortic valve only by transesophageal echocardiography. Two parallel intimal tear and small circumscribed dissection was demonstrated by autopsy.

Congenital Absence of Left Circumflex Coronary Artery: Circumflex Artery Extended from Right Coronary Artery

Nonvisualization of left circumflex coronary artery from the left coronary artery is commonly due to anomalous origin of circumflex artery from the right coronary artery or right sinus of Valsalva. However, complete ostial obstruction of circumflex artery, circumflex artery extended from the right coronary artery, anomalous origin of circumflex artery from the pulmonary artery may be the cause. We report two cases of absent left circumflex artery from the left coronary artery, in which the circumflex artery arose as a terminal extension of the right coronary artery. Angiographic features of absent left circumflex artery from the left coronary artery were described.

Clinical Applications of Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional echocardiography has good feasibility and real image display in dynamic and spatial cardiac structures. So we designed this study to assess both the feasibility and potential role of three-dimensional echocardiography for the evaluation of cardiac structures and adjacent relationships. METHOD: We studied 25 patients with various heart structures. Cross-sectional images of specific interesting region were acquired from multiplane transesophageal echocardiography and reconstructed to three-dimensional images by TomTec image processing system. These images were presented in volume-rendered dynamic display for assessing of additonal informations. RESULTS: Three-dimensional reconstructions of usual viewpoints and interesting cut planes were possible in all patients. When compared with standard two dimensional images, additional informations were provided in all reconstructed cases. Among these images, mitral valve morphology, aortoseptal continuity and interatrial septum were the structures for which three-dimensional echocardiography were most useful. CONCLUSION: Although it was preliminary datas which needs large-scale randonmized prospective studies, three-dimensional echocardiograpy may be most potent and promising methods in evaluating anatomic and functional assessment of heart structures.