Extensive aortic root endocarditis caused ventricular septal rupture.

A 79-year-old man was referred to us for severe cardiac decompensation. Chest radiography showed severe pulmonary edema, and transesophageal echocardiography revealed extensive vegetations on all aortic valve leaflets with severe aortic valve regurgitation, heterogeneous cavities adjacent to the aortic annulus, and ventricular septal rupture into the right-ventricular outflow tract. After extensive debridement of the aortic root (including the infected ventricular septum), the ventricular septum and aortic root were reconstructed using autologous and bovine pericardial patches, and a bioprosthetic stented valve was placed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and he remains recurrence-free 4 years after surgery.