Open AccessImpending Aortic Rupture in a Patient with Syphilitic Aortitis
Author(s) -
Mioara Cocora,
Dan Nechifor,
Mihai-Andrei Lazăr,
A. Mornos
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
vascular health and risk management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.892
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1178-2048
pISSN - 1176-6344
DOI - 10.2147/vhrm.s289455
Subject(s) - medicine , bentall procedure , aortic dissection , aortitis , surgery , syphilis , aorta , radiology , regurgitation (circulation) , aortic aneurysm , pericardial effusion , aneurysm , aortic rupture , dissection (medical) , pseudoaneurysm , cardiology , family medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv)
We report the case of a 48-year-old man, admitted for atrial fibrillation with rapid heart rate and intense chest pain. A quick evaluation revealed a giant aortic aneurysm with severe aortic regurgitation and pericardial fluid without a trace of aortic dissection. Because of high suspicion of aortic rupture, an emergency surgery was planned, and a Bentall procedure was performed. On examination of the aortic wall revealing vertical wrinkling with a tree bark aspect, suspicion of syphilitic aortitis arose. The diagnosis was confirmed through postoperative serologic testing and histological examination. Histopathologic differential diagnosis, special treatment and follow-up are presented.