An autopsy case of rheumatoid arthritis with aortic steno-insufficiency, angina pectoris and severe heart failure

Mitsuru Shimizu, Nenchung Chang, Sachio Kawai, Ryozo Okada, Yoshiro Fukuda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Although nonspecific pericarditis, myocarditis, valvulitis, and coronary arteritis are known as cardiac lesions that accompany rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there have been few reports of the occurrence of clinically severe valvular disease. We report here the case of 69-year-old man with a 25-year history of RA who died of acute left-sided heart failure complicating to aortic steno-insufficiency and angina pectoris. Autopsy findings revealed the coincidence of a congenital bicuspid aortic valve with chronic inflammation, fibrosis and calcification; eccentric hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis of the left ventricle; 75% luminal narrowing of the proximal portion of the coronary artery due to atherosclerosis, and narrowing of the small arteries of the cardiac muscle due to angitis. It is deduced that the coronary artery lesions, aortic valve lesions and myocardial lesions were aggravated by the bicuspid aortic valve, changes with ageing and corticosteroid therapy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1045-1049
Number of pages5
JournalJapanese Circulation Journal
Volume48
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1984
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Angina pectoris
  • Aortic steno-insufficiency
  • Bicuspid aortic valve
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology

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