Syphilitic aortitis: about a case in South Colombia

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases

Context:

• A 73-year-old female patient with hypertension presented with a 3-month history of severe chest pain.
• Initial evaluation revealed calcified aortic valve disease with severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation, alongside left ventricular hypertrophy.

Purpose:

• To present a complex case involving severe valvular heart disease and a concurrent VDRL diagnosis.
• To describe the successful surgical management and clinical outcome.

Summary:

• Echocardiography confirmed severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation. Pre-surgical tests revealed a positive VDRL (syphilis), which was confirmed and managed.
• The patient underwent successful valvular replacement with a bioprosthesis and a supra-coronary valvular tube.
• Biopsy confirmed chronic scar valvulitis with extensive calcifications. Post-surgery, the patient showed adequate clinical evolution and was discharged.

Impact:

• Demonstrates successful management of severe aortic valve disease in the presence of an active syphilis infection.
• Highlights the importance of comprehensive pre-surgical evaluation to identify and manage co-existing conditions.
• Provides a clinical example of effective surgical intervention and patient recovery in complex cardiovascular cases.