Subaortic aneurysm of the left ventricle obstructing a coronary artery

We report a subaortic aneurysm of the left ventricle causing compression of a coronary artery in a 52-year-old white man presenting with angina on effort. Endocarditis seemed to be implicated as the cause of this rare condition. To what extent coronary obstruction influenced the development of myocardial ischaemia was not defined since the patient also had aortic valvular disease. The clinical features, diagnostic studies and successful surgical treatment are described.