Gerbode defect and left ventricular-aortic discontinuity in prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Abstract

Communication between the left ventricle and right atrium is known as the Gerbode defect. The defect is usually congenital but can be acquired secondary to infective endocarditis. Left ventricular-aortic discontinuity is another serious complication of extensive infective endocarditis. Here, we report a rare case of prosthetic valve endocarditis complicated with both acquired Gerbode defect and left ventricular-aortic discontinuity. We successfully performed reconstructive surgery involving patch closure of the Gerbode defect and reconstruction of the circumferential left ventricular outflow tract with a xenopericardial patch, followed by supra-annular aortic valve replacement with the Solo Smart bovine pericardial stentless valve.