Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis, which could potentially affect any organ system. However, there have only been a few reports on cardiac involvement. We described the echocardiographic findings in nine patients affected by WG. A complete M-mode, two-dimensional, Doppler and color-Doppler transthoracic echocardiogram was performed in nine patients (seven females and two males) affected by WG. In each patient, cardiac abnormality, for example, valvular damage, left ventricular global systolic dysfunction, or pericardial effusion, was detected. In particular, heart valve disease was found in eight patients, and in three cases, aortic valve insufficiency, which was severe enough to require surgical valve replacement, was observed. Cardiac involvement in patients with WG is common. In particular, there is a high frequency of aortic valve abnormalities. Thus, an echocardiographic study should be routinely performed.
Cardiac involvement in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis / Morelli, Sergio; A. M., Gurgo Di Castelmenardo; Conti, Fabrizio; A., Sgreccia; Alessandri, Cristiano; Bernardo, Ml; Valesini, Guido. - In: RHEUMATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL. - ISSN 0172-8172. - STAMPA. - 19:6(2000), pp. 209-212. [10.1007/s002960000059]
Cardiac involvement in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis
MORELLI, Sergio;CONTI, FABRIZIO;ALESSANDRI, cristiano;VALESINI, Guido
2000
Abstract
Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis, which could potentially affect any organ system. However, there have only been a few reports on cardiac involvement. We described the echocardiographic findings in nine patients affected by WG. A complete M-mode, two-dimensional, Doppler and color-Doppler transthoracic echocardiogram was performed in nine patients (seven females and two males) affected by WG. In each patient, cardiac abnormality, for example, valvular damage, left ventricular global systolic dysfunction, or pericardial effusion, was detected. In particular, heart valve disease was found in eight patients, and in three cases, aortic valve insufficiency, which was severe enough to require surgical valve replacement, was observed. Cardiac involvement in patients with WG is common. In particular, there is a high frequency of aortic valve abnormalities. Thus, an echocardiographic study should be routinely performed.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.