Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm in a Gottingen Minipig

A 26.6-kg, intact, 9-mo-old female Gottingen minipig was presented for a coronary stent study. Angiography revealed a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) in the aortic root that involved both the left and noncoronary sinuses of the heart. Gross histologic examination of the heart revealed 2 regions of aneurysmal formation: one at the ostium to the left main coronary artery, with aortic sinus involvement, and the other at the dorsal aspect of the aortic root involving the noncoronary aortic sinus. With no history of any infectious diseases, and the microscopic findings showing no evidence of necrosis, degeneration, or infection, confirmed that the aneurysmal-like dilation of the sinuses was most likely a congenital anomaly. This case illustrates the diagnosis and comparative findings of a rare cardiac anomaly found in only a few species to date. To our knowledge, antemortem diagnosis of unruptured SVA involving both the left and noncoronary aortic sinuses of the minipig heart has not been reported previously.