[Aortic aneurysms as complication of bacterial endocarditis. Report of two cases (author's transl)].

The authors report on two cases, one of supravalvular aortic aneurysm and one of subvalvular aortic aneurysm. Both patients suffered from bacterial endocarditis of the aortic valve, superimposed on previous rheumatic valvular disease. The authors believe that such aneurysms represent typical though rare complication of bacterial endocarditis of the aortic valve. Subvalvular aneurysms should be the consequence of the systolic stress acting on the myocardial wall involved by endocarditis, whereas supravalvular aneurysms could result from the jet-lesion through the affected valve.