Uncommon acquired Gerbode defect following extensive bicuspid aortic valve endocarditis

Cardiovasc Ultrasound. 2012 Feb 23:10:7. doi: 10.1186/1476-7120-10-7.

Abstract

Gerbode defect is a rare type of left ventricle to right atrium shunt. It is usually congenital in origin, but acquired cases are also described, mainly following infective endocarditis, valve replacement, trauma or acute myocardial infarction. We report a case of a 50-year-old man who suffered an extensive and complex infective endocarditis involving a bicuspid aortic valve, the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa and the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. After dual valve replacement and annular reconstruction, a shunt between the left ventricle and the right atrium--Gerbode defect, and a severe leak of the mitral prosthesis were detected. Reintervention was performed with successful shunt closure with an autologous pericardial patch and paravalvular leak correction. No major complications occurred denying the immediate post-surgery period and the follow-up at the first year was uneventful.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / complications*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Heart Atria
  • Heart Septal Defects / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Septal Defects / etiology
  • Heart Valve Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Valve Diseases / etiology
  • Heart Valve Diseases / surgery
  • Heart Ventricles
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications*
  • Streptococcus anginosus*
  • Ultrasonography