Fatty Infiltration of an Aortic Valve

Adipose tissue is a normal constituent of the heart, but not a normal anatomic finding of cardiac valves. Fatty infiltration of the aortic valve is rare, with unknown significance on valve function. We report a case of fatty infiltration and replacement of the spongiosa layer in an incompetent aortic valve. The mechanism of fat infiltration is unknown, but may be explained by differentiation of preexisting valve interstitial cells secondary to valvular injury.