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[Cardiac manifestations of chronic atrophic polychondritis]
Insights
Chronic atrophic polychondritis can cause severe cardiovascular issues, including aortic problems and heart block. This case highlights the need for monitoring and intervention for heart failure in affected patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Chronic atrophic polychondritis is a rare systemic autoimmune disease.
- Cardiovascular complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in polychondritis.
Abstract:
The authors present a case of chronic atrophic polychondritis with cardiovascular complications, consisting of aortic incompetence due to dilatation of the aortic ring associated with an aneurysm of the ascending aorta and a first degree atrio-ventricular block occurring six months after the onset of the disease. The progression towards heart failure resulted in the replacement of the ascending aorta and of the aortic valve. The authors discuss the cardiovascular complications of this disease.