A surgically salvaged case: emergency Root-Commando procedure for infective endocarditis and chronic dissecting aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva

Abstract

The Commando procedure for infective endocarditis is a high-risk intervention. However, infective endocarditis involving the intervalvular fibrosa is fatal in the absence of surgery. A 41-year-old man with no medical history visited a doctor with chest pain and dyspnoea. Ascending aortic dissection and vegetation on the mitral valve was noted on echocardiography, so he was transferred to our hospital. The diagnosis was dissecting aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva and acute heart failure due to aortic regurgitation, mitral regurgitation, and infective endocarditis. We decided on emergency surgery. Intraoperatively, we confirmed abscess extending to the left atrial roof and destruction of the intervalvular fibrosa, so we performed the Root-Commando procedure. The patient was saved and discharged 47 days after transfer to our hospital through the reoperation on postoperative day 30.