Quadricuspid aortic valve with ascending aortic aneurysm: report of a case and discussion of embryological mechanisms

Congenital quadricuspid aortic valves (QAVs) are rare phenomena. They are often associated with aortic insufficiency and significant morbidity. A QAV with an associated ascending aortic aneurysm is extremely rare, and these conditions might have a shared embryonic etiology. We describe the case of a patient with a QAV associated with aortic aneurysm. Pertinent literature on the QAV is reviewed, and embryological factors that may contribute to its pathogenesis are discussed.