Unusual cardiovascular events in Behçet's disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Rheumatology
• Immunology

Background:

• Behçet's disease (BD) is a rare multisystemic inflammatory disorder.
• Cardiovascular involvement is a serious manifestation of BD, often leading to significant morbidity and mortality.

Observation:

• This study retrospectively analyzed 4 patients with BD and cardiovascular complications.
• Diagnostic methods included clinical evaluation, EKG, echocardiography, CT, MRI, and angiography.

Findings:

• Observed cardiac complications included coronary artery disease, endomyocardial fibrosis, left ventricle rupture with pseudo-aneurysm, and massive left ventricle thrombosis.
• Two patients experienced surgical complications due to delayed diagnosis and lack of pre-operative treatment.
• All patients were stabilized with high-dose steroids, colchicine, immunosuppressants, and anticoagulants.

Implications:

• Behçet's disease is frequently overlooked when life-threatening cardiac complications arise.
• Prompt initiation of immunosuppressive therapy, including steroids, is vital to prevent surgical complications, disease recurrence, and mortality in BD patients with cardiac involvement.