[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva (author's transl)].

Among a total of 6000 patients of the Herzchirurgische Klinik of the University of Munich, 16 patients had an aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva. Mostly, this was localized in the right sinus, less often in the non-coronary sinus, and only in one case in the left sinus. In 9 patients the aneurysm had ruptured into the right ventricle or into the right atrium. In 2/3 of the cases the aneurysm was associated with a VSD or an acquired malformation of the aortic valve. The diagnosis in part was based on the typical history with a sudden begin of cardiac symptoms secondary to rupture of the aneurysm; however, the most useful diagnostic procedure was the heart catheterization including an angiogram of the aortic root. Surgical treatment led to good early and late results; there was a low operative risk, and complications were rare; however, the prognosis may be less favorable in the presence of an acquired malformation of the aortic valve.