Azygos vein aneurysm resection concomitant with heart valve repair via right thoracotomy

Azygos vein aneurysm is very rare and is usually found incidentally because of its clinical silence. We report a case of recurrent pleural effusion caused by an azygos vein aneurysm in a patient with moderate mitral valve regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR). Since valve disease is considered a significant precipitating factor for both dyspnoea and pleural effusion, we decided to study the aetiologies of these conditions concomitantly. Azygos vein aneurysm resection in combination with tricuspid and mitral valve repair using cardiopulmonary bypass was performed successfully through a right anterior thoracotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient reported improved exercise capacity.