Unusual cardiovascular events in Behçet's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To report on cardiovascular involvement in Behçet's disease (BD).


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of clinical, EKG, echodoppler, CT-scan, MRI, conventional angiography, treatment and follow-up data was undertaken in 4 patients suffering BD.


RESULTS
Cardiac specific complications included coronary artery involvement (n=3), endomyocardial fibrosis (n=1), left ventricle spontaneous rupture with giant wall pseudo-aneurysm (n=1), and massive left ventricle thrombosis (n=1). Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 17 years. Surgery was complicated with vascular patch leakage, recurrent pseudo-aneurysm or upper-limb venous thrombosis in 2 patients who did not receive pre-operative specific treatment because of delayed BD diagnosis. High-dose steroids (n=4), colchicine (n=4), immunosuppressants (n=3) and anticoagulants (n=4) were eventually prescribed and stabilised cardiac disease in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
At time of life-threatening cardiac complications, BD was often overlooked. Prompt initiation of steroids and immunosuppressive treatment may prevent post-operative complications, recurrences and death.
Sacré
Karim
K
Department of Internal Medicine, Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, Paris-7 University, Paris, France. sacrekarim@yahoo.fr
Ducrocq
Gregory
G
Hernigou
Anne
A
Laissy
Jean-Pierre
JP
Papo
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004719:Endomyocardial Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000925:Anticoagulants; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids; D003078:Colchicine