A Rare Congenital Cardiac Anomaly Presenting with Amaurosis Fugax: Quadricuspid Aortic Valve

Abstract

Abs tractQuadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare cause of aortic regurgitation. Most cases are detected incidentally during echocardiography, angiography, autopsy or surgery. It may also be associated with other congenital anomalies of the heart. A 27-year-old male was admitted to our department to evaluate the etiology of amaurosis fugax. On physical examination, his blood pressure was 125/85 mmHg, and an evident diastolic murmur of grade 2/6 was heard at the third left intercostal space. Results of electrocardiography and chest radiography were normal. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography revealed a quadricuspid aortic valve, a mild aortic regurgitation. The importance of recognizing this condition lies in the fact that more than 50% of people with QAV require valve replacement in the fifth or sixth decade of life, because of worsening aortic regurgitation. (The Me di cal Bul le tin of Ha se ki 2014; 52: 302-3)