[Cardiovascular manifestations in ankylosing spondylitis. Concerning 210 cases].
BACKGROUND
To analyse and discuss cardiovascular manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis, evaluate the frequency and giving special attention to unusual forms.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 21 cases with cardiovascular manifestations among 210 cases of ankylosing spondylitis seen over a 25 years period who met the Amor criteria.


RESULTS
Cardiovascular complications were found in 21 patients (10%): 5 (2.40%) had aortic insufficiency, 2 (0.95%) had mitral insufficiency, 1 had mitral valve prolapse, 1 had pericarditis, 10 (4.7%) had atrioventricular block and 6 (2.8%) had bundle branch block. Takayasu's disease was diagnosed in one case. Cardiovascular involvement was common In patients longer disease duration. Peripheral arthritis was found in 33% and its prevalence did not differ in patients with or without cardiac involvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Aortic insufficiency and conduction disturbances were the most common cause of cardiovascular involvement in ankylosing spondylitis. The funding of cardiovascular manifestations in 10% of our patients suggests that in this illness evidence of cardiac manifestations should be actively investigated in ankylosing spondylitis.
Ben Taarit
Ch
Ch
Unité de rhumatologie, Service de Médecine A, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Tunis.
Kaffel
D
D
Ben Maiz
Hédi
H
Khedher
Adel
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000209:etiology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D008945:Mitral Valve Prolapse / Q000209:etiology; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000209:etiology; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology