| Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Aortic sinus aneurysm |
 | |
| Aorta laid open to show the semilunar valves. (Aortic sinus, also known as "sinus of Valsalva", is labeled at upper left.) | |
| Specialty | Cardiology |
| Complications | Rupture, heart failure, stroke |
| Diagnostic method | Echocardiogram, cardiac CT scan, cardiac MRI scan |
| Treatment | Blood pressure control, surgery |
| Medication | Beta-adrenoceptor antagonists |
| Prognosis | Median survival after rupture 3.9 years |
| Frequency | 0.09% |
Aneurysm of the aortic sinus, also known as the sinus of Valsalva, is a rare abnormality of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. The aorta normally has three small pouches that sit directly above the aortic valve (the sinuses of Valsalva), and an aneurysm of one of these sinuses is a thin-walled swelling. Aneurysms may affect the right (65–85%), non-coronary (10–30%), or rarely the left (< 5%) coronary sinus.[1] These aneurysms may not cause any symptoms but if large can cause shortness of breath, palpitations or blackouts. Aortic sinus aneurysms can burst or rupture into adjacent cardiac chambers, which can lead to heart failure if untreated.
Aortic sinus aneurysms may occur in isolation, or may be seen in association with other diseases of the aorta including Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, and bicuspid aortic valve. They can be diagnosed using an echocardiogram or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Treatment includes blood pressure control but surgical repair may be needed, especially if the aneurysm ruptures.