Introduction:
Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) pseudoaneurysm is a rare but
potentially fatal complication of aortic valve replacement (AVR),
infective endocarditis (IE), and suture dehiscence. Since AVR is the
established treatment for aggressive IE with septic emboli, such
patients who undergo the procedure have an increased summative risk of
this complication.1 Like LVOT pseudoaneurysm, left
ventricular-aortic (LV-Ao) discontinuity is a severe and uncommon
manifestation of IE. For patients who have a long-standing history of
endocarditis, peri-annular lesions in the aortic valve may rupture,
leading to LV-Ao discontinuity. Additionally, after radical debridement
for extensive IE, patients may present with iatrogenic LV-Ao
discontinuity. In either case, LV-Ao discontinuity has high morbidity
and mortality if left untreated.2