Treatment and outcome of sinus of valsalva aneurysm.

BACKGROUND

In order to understand the long-term outcome after surgical repair of sinus of Valsalva aneurysms or fistulas (SVAF), the operative results for patients treated at Shanghai Chest Hospital were retrospectively assessed.

METHODS

Between 1960 and 1999, 216 patients were operated on for SVAF. Of these 143 (66.2%) had a ventricular septal defect (VSD), 60 (28.0%) had aortic regurgitation and of these 12 underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR).

RESULTS

There were eight in-hospital deaths (3.7%). Another patient had aortic regurgitation postoperatively requiring AVR.

CONCLUSION

Resection and repair of SVAF entails an acceptably low operative risk and yields long-term freedom from symptoms. Early, aggressive operation is recommended to prevent development of complications.