[Aortic valve regurgitation associated with rheumatoid arthritis; report of a case]

We report a rare case of aortic regurgitation (AR) associated with rheumatic arthritis (RA). A 59-year-old female was brought to our hospital with cardiopulmonary arrest because of severe heart failure due to AR. After being treated for heart failure, aortic valve replacement was carried out with a Carpentier-Edwards 21 mm model. During operation, it was observed that all of the coronary cusps had become thickened and shortened. A part of the right coronary cusp near the commissure of the left coronary cusp was especially badly affected. Valve histology showed a typical degeneration pattern. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. It appears likely that the aortic valve had become shortened during the recovery process from inflammation caused by RA. The use of bioprostheses is beneficial in RA patients with aortitis, gastric ulcers, etc., since they reduce dynamic stress and eliminate the need for use of anti-coagulants.