Progressive aortic valve inflammation occurring despite apparent remission of relapsing polychondritis.
We describe a patient with relapsing polychondritis in whom aortic valve inflammation developed 3 years after diagnosis, when the polychondritis had been in apparent remission for an extended period of time. Infection and cardiac involvement can be significant complications of relapsing polychondritis. Recommendations for monitoring and treatment of patients with this disease are discussed.
Buckley
L M
LM
Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington 05405.
Ades
P A
PA
D000328:Adult; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011081:Polychondritis, Relapsing / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction
D011241:Prednisone