Cardiac lesions in non-specific aorto-arteritis. An autopsy study

Autopsy data of 58 cases (1958-1986) was analysed for cardiac lesions. The cases were divided into 2 groups; paediatric (23) and adult (35). The heart was normal in 8.7% and 20.5% of the above groups respectively. Rest of the cases showed left ventricular hypertrophy with variable dilatation. Obstructive lesion in the aorta and or renal arteries was present in 91.3% of paediatric and 80.0% of adult cases. Congestive cardiac failure was very common in paediatric group (60.8%) and was not seen in absence of obstructive lesion in the aorta or renal arteries. Histologically the aortic lesion was healed in 70% and 50% of paediatric and adult cases. The commonest additional lesion found, was coronary artery involvement in 11 cases (17%). Ostial stenosis was noted in 7 cases, including 2 in paediatric age group. Epicardial coronaries were involved in 4 cases with infarcts in 4. Aortic incompetence was rare (3.4%). Associated rheumatic mitral stenosis was seen in 2 and healed infective endocarditis in one. Histologically apart from the above mentioned lesions the myocardium showed essentially a response to hypertension. Focal lymphocytic infiltration was seen in 2 children and tuberculosis myocarditis in 3 adults. No case of any other type of myocarditics or cardiomyopathy was seen. In conclusion hypertension and coronary artery disease are the main factors responsible for myocardial failure but additional related or unrelated factors were present in 15.0% cases.