Aortic root abscess presenting as unstable angina due to extrinsic compression of the left coronary artery

Coronary ischaemia in acute endocarditis is usually due to pre-existing coronary disease or occasionally as a result of embolism from vegetations. A 68 year old man with known mixed aortic valve disease presented with a four week history of progressive exertional angina, which became unstable. He was apyrexial with no peripheral signs of endocarditis. Three sets of blood cultures were negative. Transthoracic echocardiography with suboptimal windows confirmed moderate mixed aortic valve disease. Marked reversible ST segment depression with angina recurred at rest. Aortography showed severe aortic regurgitation with a distorted aortic root. Coronary angiography showed severe proximal narrowing of the left anterior descending and circumflex arteries with an unusual long and tapering contour. Emergency surgery revealed a large anterior aortic root abscess which had destroyed the left and right coronary cusps. Aortic root abscess and other rare causes of extrinsic coronary compression are discussed.