title: Early aortic valve cusp rupture in relapsing polychondritis.
abstract: Aortic regurgitation associated with relapsing polychondritis usually occurs late in the disease as a result of aortic root dilatation. A case where aortic regurgitation occurred early and was due to cusp rupture with a normal aortic root is reported. The patient required urgent aortic valve replacement within six weeks of developing a murmur despite apparent control of inflammation with immunosuppressive treatment. The possibility of cusp rupture with sudden haemodynamic deterioration should be considered in patients with relapsing polychondritis who develop aortic regurgitation.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Rae
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Capell
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006341:Heart Rupture; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011081:Polychondritis, Relapsing / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology