Aneurysm of left ventricle secondary to bacterial endocarditis.

Three cases are described of aneurysms of the area of fibrous continuity between the aortic and mitral valves, each associated with infective endocarditis of the aortic valve. In two cases surgical treatment was successful, one of these having been diagnosed by angiography prior to operation. The other case was discovered only at autopsy, but the histologic findings showed the lesion to be a true aneurysm. Although some cases have been successfully managed by operation, most have proved fatal. These cases and the previous successes illustrate the potential value of urgent operation.