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Behçet's aortitis mimicking aortic valve endocarditis with subaortic complications
Avinoam Shiran1, Devy Zisman, Basheer Karkabi
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. shiranad@012.net.il
Summary
Behçet disease, a rare systemic inflammatory condition, can affect the heart. This case highlights Behçet aortitis impacting heart valves, successfully managed with immunosuppressive therapy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Systemic Inflammatory Diseases
Background:
- Behçet disease is a rare systemic inflammatory disorder.
- Cardiac involvement in Behçet disease is uncommon.
- Aortitis is a recognized but infrequent manifestation.
Observation:
- A case of Behçet aortitis involving the aortic and mitral valves is presented.
- Vegetations mimicked infective endocarditis with subaortic complications.
- Recurrent aortitis occurred post-aortic valve replacement, leading to pseudoaneurysm.
Findings:
- The patient developed moderate perivalvular aortic regurgitation.
- Immunosuppressive therapy stabilized the condition.
- No further cardiac surgery was required.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of cardiac manifestations in Behçet disease.
- It underscores the importance of considering Behçet disease in valvular heart disease with inflammatory features.
- Effective management of recurrent aortitis with immunosuppression is demonstrated.
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