Calcified bicuspid aortic valve mass prolapsing into the left main coronary artery

Mayo Clin Proc. 2000 Oct;75(10):1081-5. doi: 10.4065/75.10.1081.

Abstract

We report a case of a mobile calcific mass on the aortic valve that prolapsed into the left main coronary artery of a 51-year-old man. This case and a review of the literature suggest that calcific embolization to coronary arteries is a rare but possibly underrecognized complication of calcified degenerative or bicuspid aortic valves. This potentially catastrophic complication of calcified aortic valves needs to be suspected and recognized in clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve / pathology*
  • Calcinosis / complications*
  • Coronary Disease / etiology*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Embolism / etiology
  • Heart Valve Diseases / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Ischemia / etiology
  • Prolapse
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional