Quadricuspid aortic valve with D (Rho) antigen negativity: a novel case report

Here we report a rare case of a Chinese female patient presenting with aortic insufficiency due to a quadricuspid aortic valve and Rho negativity. The 64-year-old woman was referred with a 1-month history of dyspnea and cough (NYHA class II). A quadricuspid aortic valve was suspected, and grade 3 aortic regurgitation was identified by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). After admission, the ABO blood type was surprisingly identified as AB positive, and results of the D (Rho) antigen test were negative. Considering her clear diagnosis and indications for aortic valve replacement, surgical intervention was the best choice to resolve the aortic insufficiency and relieve the symptoms. Due to her rare blood type, the surgery was postponed by a week. The patient successfully underwent elective aortic valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis at her own will. In addition, no blood transfusion was arranged perioperatively. The symptoms vanished and the patient was discharged with a contented condition on the 7th postoperative day