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[A case of Behçet's disease associated with aortic regurgitation]
T Komatsu1, N Chiba, K Yomogida
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Iwai Hospital.
Insights
This case study highlights Behçet
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Behçet's disease is a rare multisystemic inflammatory disorder.
- Cardiac involvement in Behçet's disease can manifest in various forms, including valvular dysfunction.
Observation:
- A 42-year-old female with known Behçet's disease presented with exertional chest discomfort.
- Physical examination revealed a diastolic regurgitant murmur.
- Echocardiography showed aortic regurgitation and mitral fluttering.
Findings:
- Diagnostic imaging confirmed severe aortic regurgitation and ascending aorta dilatation.
- Left ventriculography showed an enlarged left ventricle with preserved ejection fraction.
- Endomyocardial biopsy revealed myocardial hypertrophy and interstitial edema.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering cardiac complications in Behçet's disease patients.
- Early diagnosis and management of cardiovascular manifestations are crucial.
- Further research into the cardiac pathophysiology of Behçet's disease is warranted.
Abstract:
A 42-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of anterior chest discomfort on exercise. She had already been diagnosed as having a complete form of Behçet's disease. On auscultation, there was a grade 2/6 diastolic regurgitant murmur along the left sternal border. Echocardiogram and pulse doppler led to the diagnosis of aortic regurgitation and mitral fluttering in diastole. Left ventriculography disclosed an enlarged left ventricular chamber, but the ejection fraction was 60% within the normal range. Aortography confirmed the diagnosis of aortic regurgitation (III.) and dilatation of the ascending aorta. The coronary arteriogram was normal. An endomyocardial biopsy of the right ventricular wall revealed mild hypertrophy of the myocardial fibers and interstitial edema. In this report, we discussed a case of Behçet's disease with reference to 28 cases reported in the medical literature in Japan.