Acute Aortic Regurgitation Resulting from Dehiscence of the Aortic Valve Commissures

A 62-year-old man with a history of hypertension complained of cough and dyspnea and was admitted to a family doctor. He was transferred to our hospital for further investigation and therapy, a result of his doctor’s suspicions of aortic regurgitation (AR) with infective endocarditis. During the operation, acute AR was found to be caused by dehiscence of the aortic valve commissures, and the valve was replaced with a mechanical valve. Postoperative course was uneventful. We reviewed reported cases of acute AR resulting from dehiscence of the aortic valve commissures. (Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010; 16: 294–296)