Aortic valve leaflet perforation after mitral valve repair.

A 32-year-old patient with symptomatic severe aortic regurge, 6 weeks after mitral valve repair, was admitted for aortic valve surgery. No preoperative clinical data consistent with infective endocarditis could be detected. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed aortic leaflet perforation affecting non coronary cusp. During operation, leaflet perforation was detected and closed completely with autologous pericardial patch. No vegetations or abscess could be seen during operation. Iatrogenic aetiology of leaflet perforation after mitral repair was suspected in this case. Recognition of this complication will help in avoiding it during mitral valve surgery and expecting it as a possible complication during intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography.