[Aortic regurgitation due to ruptured fibrous band in the noncoronary cusp: a case report].

A 67-year-old man with aortic regurgitation underwent aortic valve replacement with a 25 mm St. Jude Medical artificial valve. Intraoperative observation found several ruptured fibrous bands between the noncoronary cusp and sino-tubular ridge over the left noncoronary commissure. The same structure was observed at the left cusp, which were not ruptured. The ascending aorta was dilated to about 4 cm in diameter, so was wrapped with an artificial graft to prevent aneurysmal change. Pathological examination revealed chronic valvulitis and degenerative change at the aortic valve, and idiopathic medial degeneration at the aortic wall.