title: [Cardiovascular syphilis: diagnosis, treatment].
abstract: Cardiovascular tertiary syphilis may lead to aortitis, aortic aneurism, coronary stenosis, aortic insufficiency and, rarely, to myocarditis. The physician must be familiar with the clinical presentations of this process, including the asymptomatic variety and must be able to have an organized plan for the diagnosis and evaluation to establish or exclude the presence of cardiovascular pathology and the differential diagnosis with other entities. Once the etiologic and topographic diagnosis is established, the patient should be treated with penicillin, doxicycline and other antibiotics, and the consequences of the disorder, both actual and potential, should be considered before deciding weather to recommend surgical intervention. Although late syphilis can be prevented by appropriate therapy of early syphilis, this is a cardiovascular disease that most likely will continue to be diagnosed lately. Understanding of the pathology and pathophysiology of the disease, is most important for its prompt recognition and subsequent management. This paper reviews the natural history, diagnosis and therapy of cardiovascular syphilis.
authors.affiliation: Infectólogo, Jefe Regional de Educación Médica e Investigación, Hospital General de Zona y Medicina Familiar 2, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico. teocarrada@yahoo.com.mx
authors.forename: Teodoro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Carrada-Bravo
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010701:Phonocardiography; D015995:Prevalence; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012737:Sex Factors; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D013589:Syphilis, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine