Quadricuspid Aortic Valve: Report of a Case Combined with Moderate Ascending Aortic Dilatation

Case Description

A 70-year-old female patient was suffering from progressive shortness of breath due to severe aortic regurgitation (AR), followed approximately two years prior to surgery. On physical examination, a murmur with a 3/6 intensity was present and best heard at apex. No history of serious previous illness had been recorded.

As expected in QAV the principal investigating method was transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), extensively supplemented with additional diagnostic tools. These included transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) ([Fig. 1]), multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) ([Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3]), and coronary angiography (CA).

Fig. 1 QAV in preoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Arrow is pointing to LCC and ostium of LM coronary artery.

Fig. 2 QAV in preoperative multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT). The position of the origins of the coronary arteries classified this QAV as type II by Nakamura classification. (hollow arrow: LCC and ostium of LM coronary artery; white arrow: RCC and ostium of RCA).

Fig. 3 MSCT aortography in QAV revealing moderate ascending aortic dilatation (measurements).

Publication History

Received: 21 December 2020

Accepted after revision: 25 May 2021

Article published online:
26 August 2021