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Published on: September 20, 2018

Behçet's disease and cardiovascular involvement

F Atzeni1, P Sarzi-Puttini, A Doria

  • 1Rheumatology Unit, L Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy.

Lupus
|October 13, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Behcet's disease (BD) can affect the heart, with cardiovascular manifestations occurring in 7-46% of patients. This review details cardiac involvement in BD, including pathogenic mechanisms and clinical features in Italian patients.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystemic inflammatory disorder of unknown cause.
  • Characterized by orogenital ulcers, uveitis, and systemic involvement (articular, GI, CNS, vascular).
  • Cardiac involvement in BD is not fully understood, with reported prevalence ranging from 7-46% and significant mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review pathogenic mechanisms and clinical features of cardiovascular involvement in Behcet's disease.
  • To present data on cardiovascular manifestations in a cohort of Italian BD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on cardiovascular manifestations in Behcet's disease.
  • Analysis of cardiovascular involvement in a cohort of Italian patients with Behcet's disease.

Main Results:

  • Cardiovascular manifestations in BD include endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis, myocardial infarction, aortic aneurysm, and valvular dysfunction.
  • Mortality can reach up to 20% in BD patients with severe vascular involvement.
  • Specific data from the Italian cohort on cardiac involvement is presented.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiovascular involvement is a serious complication of Behcet's disease with diverse manifestations.
  • Understanding pathogenic mechanisms and clinical presentation is crucial for patient management.
  • Further data collection in patient cohorts is essential to elucidate the full spectrum of cardiac impact in BD.

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