[Bilateral coronary ostial stenoses with aortic regurgitation in a patient with syphilitic aortitis]
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyoto Second Red Cross Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.
Insights
Syphilitic aortitis can cause severe coronary ostial stenosis and aortic regurgitation. Prompt surgical intervention with aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting using internal thoracic arteries is crucial for successful outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Syphilitic aortitis, a rare complication of syphilis, can lead to significant cardiovascular issues.
- It often presents with coronary ostial stenosis and aortic regurgitation, which can be overlooked.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old male presented with chest pain due to syphilitic aortitis-induced coronary ostial stenoses (90% and 99%) and severe aortic regurgitation.
- Diagnostic tests confirmed active syphilis with high titers.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention included aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting using bilateral internal thoracic arteries.
- Angiographic features included ostial stenosis (>90%) and associated aortic regurgitation.
- Internal thoracic arteries are preferred over saphenous vein grafts to prevent graft occlusion.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering syphilitic aortitis in patients with unexplained coronary ostial stenosis and aortic valve disease.
- Optimal surgical strategy involves utilizing internal thoracic arteries for CABG and considering retrograde cardioplegia for severe ostial stenosis.
Abstract:
Syphilitic aortitis is now rare in developed countries and is sometimes overlooked. A 61-year-old man with bilateral coronary ostial stenoses (#5:90%, #1:99%) and Sellers III/IV aortic regugitatioin (AR) induced by syphilitic aortitis presented with chest pain. Preoperative rapid plasma reagin titer and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination test were strongly positive, 256 fold and 191.25 C.O.I., respectively. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with bilateral internal thoracic arteries (ITA) was performed successfully. The angiographic features as follows: 1) coronary artery stenosis is generally limited to the ostia, 2) the grade of stenosis is almost always more than 90%, 3) AR is frequently associated with coronary ostial stenosis. CABG should be performed with ITA, not saphenous vein grafts, to avoid occlusion of the ostium of the saphenous vein graft by syphilitic aortitis. Retrograde cardioplegia should be performed if ostial stenosis is severe.
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