European heart journal
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European heart journal · Oct 1984
Two-dimensional echocardiographic recognition of aortic valve ring abscess.
2D-echocardiography was performed in 42 consecutive patients with suspected aortic endocarditis who subsequently underwent surgery. On surgery, 12 patients had perivalvular aortic abscesses: in the posterior part of the ring (7) with extension to the aorto-mitral fibrous trigone or pseudo-aneurysm of the aortic wall; in the anterior part of the ring (3), with extension toward the interventricular septum; or with near complete aorto-left ventricular disruption (2). Perivalvular abscess was seen on 2D-echo in 8 patients: echo-free cavity located in the aortic ring, beyond the sigmoid valvulae and sometimes containing necrotic material. ⋯ Accurate topographic diagnosis was made in 6 of the 8 patients, while in 2 the abscess was located more to the left than considered on 2D-echo. Generally, 2D-echo tended to underestimate the importance and extension of the lesions. It is concluded that 2D-echo is helpful to diagnose perivalvular aortic infection.