Complete Heart Block Caused by Sinus of Valsalva Pseudoaneurysm—A Rare Case

Abstract

Acquired pseudoaneurysms of the aortic root involving the sinus of Valsalva (SOV) are rare and serious complications arising from trauma, infection, or following cardiac surgery or intervention. Complete heart block (CHB) is an atypical presentation of SOV pseudoaneurysm due to either direct compression effects or involvement of the main conducting system by blood and inflammatory cell infiltration. Herein, we describe a rare case of a patient who presented with CHB caused by an SOV pseudoaneurysm following polytrauma and was treated with surgical closure of pseudoaneurysm followed by implantation of a permanent pacemaker to treat the persistent CHB.