Coronary Stenosis and Cardiogenic Shock Secondary to Aortitis Following Aortic Root Support Procedure.

A woman with recent personalized external aortic root support implant presented in cardiogenic shock with bilateral coronary ostial occlusion and aortic inflammation requiring emergency coronary angioplasty. Subsequent computed tomography with positron emission tomography scanning demonstrated aortitis with extensive inflammation adjacent to the personalized external aortic root support mesh, the first report of this important complication.

Multimodal imaging in Ig G4- related aortitis: case report.

We present the case of a 56-year-old patient with fever of unknown origin associated with chest and lumbar pain. Multimodality imaging revealed diffuse peri-aortitis in the thoracic aorta without involvement of the aortic valve, contributing substantially to the diagnosis of Ig G4-associated aortitis. Immunosuppressive therapy was started. Follow-up at five months with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed a reduction in the inflammatory process in the thoracic aorta.

Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 56 años, con cuadro febril de origen desconocido asociado a dolor torácico y lumbar. La imagen multimodal demostró periaortitis difusa en la aorta torácica sin afectación de la válvula aórtica, lo que contribuyó sustancialmente al diagnóstico de aortitis asociada a Ig4. Se inició tratamiento inmunosupresor. El seguimiento a los 5 meses, la resonancia magnética cardíaca mostró una reducción del proceso inflamatorio en la aorta torácica.

Primary aortoduodenal fistula: As a first presentation of brucellosis; a case report.

INTRODUCTION: The etiologies of primary aortoenteric fistula include aneurysm (most common), foreign body, tumor, radiation therapy, and infection (e.g., tuberculosis, syphilis). Brucellosis is a rare cause of primary aortoenteric fistula. PRESENTATION OF CASE: In this study, we reported the case ofa 55-years-old male with an aortoenteric fistula and a positive brucellosis test. DISCUSSION: In regions where brucellosis is endemic, the coexistence of aortitis and aneurysm should prompt consideration of brucella infection as a relatively uncommon cause of aortoenteric fistula. CONCLUSION: While aortitis due to brucellosis is rare, it can lead to life-threatening manifestations such as aortoduodenal fistula. Therefore, we recommend the use of Wright, Coombs Wright, and 2ME tests in similar cases.

Behçet's Syndrome Masquerading as Infective Endocarditis: A Diagnostic Conundrum and Therapeutic Challenge.

This case report presents a 20-year-old male patient initially diagnosed with infective endocarditis, later correctly identified as Behçet's syndrome. The patient's complex clinical presentation, including chest pain, aortic dilation, severe aortic regurgitation, and aortic root abscess, posed significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Despite initial misdiagnosis and treatment difficulties, the patient's condition significantly improved with appropriate immunosuppressive therapy, underscoring the potential for successful management of this complex condition. This case serves as a valuable reminder of the diagnostic challenges posed by Behçet's syndrome and the importance of considering this condition in patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of infective endocarditis.

Six-year progression of medically treated infective aortitis.

OBJECTIVE: To report a medically treated case of infective aortitis with mycotic aneurysms that went on to have many years of surveillance imaging. This has not yet been documented as current recommendations for infective aortitis strongly suggest operative intervention combined with aggressive antibiotics, with very high reported mortality for non-operative management. Thus, the natural progression of sac growth during the acute infective period and in the long-term has had an opportunity to be explored. METHODS: A 77-year-old patient presented with infective aortitis confirmed on computed tomography angiography and refused operative intervention despite being explained the associated risks and benefits. She was treated aggressively with antibiotics and monitored in the community, successfully clearing the infection. RESULTS: She received a total of 6 weeks of ceftriaxone intravenously and 1 year of oral ciprofloxacin. She rapidly developed mycotic aneurysmal disease both infrarenal and suprarenal which stabilised within 1 year after diagnosis and did not progress further. CONCLUSIONS: Infective aortitis with mycotic aneurysms is usually treated surgically due to the significant risk of rupture in the acute period. This case suggests that if the acute infective period is passed, the aneurysmal disease stabilises and does not progress.

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF)-Induced Aortitis: A Case Report.

Pegylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), commonly used in chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, has been associated with rare instances of aortitis. This study describes a 67-year-old female patient with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-positive breast cancer, undergoing chemotherapy with an epirubicin/cyclophosphamide (EC) regimen (epirubicin, cyclophosphamide) and pegylated G-CSF for neutropenia prophylaxis. Post-treatment, she developed symptoms including intermittent fever and severe arthralgia. Laboratory tests revealed an elevated white blood cell count, C-reactive protein levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, while a computed tomography scan showed thickening in the aortic arch and descending aorta. Given the clinical presentation and exclusion of other potential causes, pegylated G-CSF-induced aortitis was suspected. The patient's symptoms improved significantly following the cessation of pegylated G-CSF, aiding in the differentiation from other types of aortitis. This study highlights the importance of considering pegylated G-CSF as a potential cause of aortitis in patients presenting with unexplained symptoms of fever and inflammation after chemotherapy. The rapid improvement upon discontinuation of the drug is a key feature distinguishing it from other aortitis causes. In conclusion, while rare, aortitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients treated with pegylated G-CSF who exhibit relevant clinical symptoms. Early detection and management, including the discontinuation of the causative agent, are crucial for patient recovery and prognosis.

Aortitis after switching short-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factors in a lymphoma patient with HLA-B52.

Aortitis is a rare adverse event of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment. Several previous studies have described recurrent aortitis caused by re-administration of the same G-CSF. However, no previous studies have examined the safety of switching between short-acting G-CSFs in patients who develop aortitis. We report the case of a 55-year-old man with refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, who developed G-CSF-associated aortitis. The aortitis was triggered by filgrastim and recurred after treatment with lenograstim. The patient possessed human leukocyte antigen B52, which has been implicated in Takayasu arteritis. In addition, a drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test for lenograstim performed upon detection of recurrent G-CSF-associated aortitis produced a positive result. Our case suggests that switching from one short-acting G-CSF to another does not prevent recurrence of G-CSF-associated aortitis. Although the etiology of G-CSF-associated aortitis has not been fully elucidated, our case also suggests that some patients may be genetically predisposed to aortitis.

An Unusual Case of Non-typhoidal Salmonella Bacteremia Causing Life-Threatening Aortitis.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella typically presents with gastroenteritis. However, an invasive Salmonella infection, which may be typically seen in immunocompromised patients, has a propensity for aortic involvement, especially in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis. Here we present a 60-year-old female with multiple comorbid conditions and currently on immunosuppressants for rheumatoid arthritis, who presented with nausea, vomiting, and fever of three weeks duration and was found to have Salmonella bacteremia. Blood cultures were positive for Salmonella enterica. Computed tomography (CT) abdomen with contrast was concerning for mycotic aortitis. The patient underwent endovascular repair of an aortic ulcer and was treated with a six-week course of ceftriaxone. Mycotic aneurysm is a rare but potentially fatal complication of invasive Salmonella infection. It occurs typically in older men with atherosclerotic risk factors. It mostly presents as fever, back pain, and/or abdominal pain. Our patient was a middle-aged female who presented with non-specific symptoms. CT angiogram is the diagnostic modality of choice and treatment may require surgical vascular repair and long-term antibiotics. A high level of suspicion is needed to diagnose Salmonella-related mycotic aneurysm/aortitis. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve the mortality.

Hybrid PET/MRI of large vessel vasculitis : Radiation dose compared to PET/CT with view on cumulative effective dose.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) is often challenging due to the various clinical appearances and the low prevalence. Hybrid imaging by positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) is a highly relevant imaging modality for diagnostics and disease surveillance but may be associated with a significant amount of radiation dose especially in patients with complications. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to compare the image quality and impact of hybrid imaging methods PET/CT and PET/MRI on the potential for dose reduction. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study included a cohort of 32 patients who were referred to PET/MRI for the evaluation of LVV, including graft infections and fever of unknown origin. This cohort was compared to a similar cohort of 37 patients who were examined with PET/CT in the same period. Mean radiation dose as well as image quality to establish a diagnosis were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The mean radiation dose applied in PET/MRI was significantly lower when compared to PET/CT (mean 6.6 mSV vs. 31.7 mSV; p < 0.001). This effect was based on the partially multiphasic CT protocols. At the same time, diagnostic image quality using a 4-point scale showed similar results for both imaging modalities in the work-up of LVV. CONCLUSION: With PET/MRI, the radiation exposure can be significantly reduced with similar image quality and diagnostic impact. Patients with LVV have a higher risk of receiving a clinically relevant cumulative effective dose (CED) and PET/MRI should be made available to them.

Tertiary syphilis and cardiovascular disease: the united triad: case report.

Background: Syphilis, owing to its natural course, can lead to long-term damage to the aortic valve, such as insufficiency and rarely stenosis, ostial coronary stenosis, and syphilitic aortitis. Cardiovascular involvement alongside neurological involvement dominates the prognosis. This should no longer be seen, thanks to awareness and prevention programmes, medical treatment, and antibiotics. Case summary: We report a case of a 54-year-old chronic smoker with no previous history, admitted for respiratory distress amid an impaired general condition. An electrocardiogram was performed, which showed sinus rhythm with lateral ST depression and T-wave inversion. Coronary angiography revealed an ostial stenosis of the left coronary artery. Echocardiography displayed a globular dilated left ventricle with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% and severe aortic insufficiency (AI). Computed tomography angiography of the aorta showed a dilation of the thoracic aorta and suprarenal abdominal aorta. Syphilitic serology was positive. The patient underwent angioplasty, resulting in a satisfactory outcome, and subsequently received optimal treatment. Following a consultation with a cardiovascular surgeon and vascular team, it was decided to proceed with mechanical aortic valve replacement and aorto-coronary double bypass surgery, but vascular surgery of the ascending aortic aneurysm was not possible at once. Discussion: Tertiary syphilis should always be considered when faced with isolated coronary ostial involvement, aortic aneurysm, and/or AI. What makes our case special is that the patient had almost all the cardiovascular complications of tertiary syphilis. Primary syphilis should always be prevented, diagnosed early, and treated appropriately with antibiotic therapy.

A Young Female With Takayasu Arteritis Involving the Coronary Arteries.

A rare form of large vessel vasculitis, Takayasu arteritis (TA) typically affects the aorta and its primary branches and rarely involves the coronary arteries. We present a case study of a female patient who had refractory hypertension and coronary artery disease for which she underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis. We wish to underscore the significance of timely identification and intervention as pivotal factors in improving patient outcomes and optimizing the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies in managing TA.

Aortic rupture following acute aortitis in a patient with head and neck carcinoma treated with nivolumab: a rare but severe immune-related adverse event.

INTRODUCTION: Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to immune checkpoint inhibitors may lead to discontinuation and treatment-related death. Acute aortitis is a rare but severe irAE. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old man with recurrent lower gingival carcinoma received nivolumab therapy. Twenty-three months later, he experienced chest compression, which resulted in syncope. Following a whole-body computed tomography (CT) scanning, which revealed diffuse thickening of the aorta, and systemic assessments of the causes of aortitis, he was diagnosed with acute aortitis due to irAE. Nivolumab discontinuation and oral steroids improved CT findings. However, 11 months after nivolumab discontinuation, he developed an aortic aneurysmal rupture. Endovascular aortic repair rescued him. A durable anti-cancer response was still observed 4 months after the aortic rupture. CONCLUSION: Although severe irAE, such as acute aortitis, occurred, the patient may still achieve a durable response. A broad examination and prompt treatment of irAE can help improve the patient's survival.

Infectious aortic aneurysms: A case report and review of cases from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

An infectious aortic aneurysm is a rare disease entity. We report a challenging case of a 29-year-old male presenting with chest pain and constitutional symptoms. The patient was found to have three pseudoaneurysms of the aorta on imaging, significant pathological findings of necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis from a supraclavicular lymph node biopsy, and a highly suggestive clinical picture of tuberculous aortitis. He was referred to vascular surgery for intervention and discharged on antituberculous therapy for 6 months. To the best of our knowledge, only five cases of tuberculous aortic aneurysms have been reported from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, all with favorable outcomes. A high index of suspicion, early detection, and prompt intervention are essential in managing such cases.

Physician-made pericardium stent graft as a potential endovascular alternative for infectious aortic disease - an ex-vivo proof-of-concept study.

PURPOSE.: The treatment of infectious aortic disease is still challenging with open surgical debridement and reconstruction using biological, preferably autologous material, being the treatment of choice. However, these procedures are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Endovascular therapy is often considered a bridging method only, since the biologically inactive fabric of the covered stent grafts usually cannot be treated sufficiently with anti-infective agents in the event of a (obligate) consecutive secondary graft infection. This study aims to prove the feasibility of a physician-made pericardium stent graft ex-vivo. TECHNIQUE.: A state-of-the-art TEVAR was modified by separating the fabric from the z-stents and suturing a hand-sewn bovine pericardium tube to the bare metal. Feasibility of preparation, re-sheathing, and delivery is demonstrated in an ex-vivo model. CONCLUSION.: This first xenogeneic stent graft could be manufactured and deployed successfully. In the future this may provide a bridging alternative for high-risk patients with infected native aortic aneurysm or aortic fistulas, eventually followed by surgical or thoracoscopic/laparoscopic debridement. Further studies on simulators or animal models are needed to test the technique and investigate its long-term durability. Additionally, this study prompts reflection on whether materials currently used should be further developed to prevent graft infections.

Renal artery involvement is associated with increased morbidity but not mortality in Takayasu arteritis: a matched cohort study of 215 patients.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed differences in presentation and survival of Takayasu arteritis (TAK) with or without renal artery involvement (RAI) from a large monocentric cohort of patients with TAK. METHODS: Clinical and angiographic features were compared between TAK with versus without RAI, with bilateral versus unilateral RAI, and with bilateral RAI versus without RAI using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression. Inter-group differences in survival were analyzed [hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI)] adjusted for gender, age at disease onset, diagnostic delay, baseline disease activity, and significant clinical/angiographic inter-group differences after multivariable-adjustment/propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: Of 215 TAK, 117(54.42%) had RAI [66(56.41%) bilateral]. TAK with RAI or with bilateral RAI had earlier disease onset than without RAI (p < 0.001). Chronic renal failure (CRF) was exclusively seen in TAK with RAI. TAK with RAI (vs without RAI) had more frequent hypertension (p = 0.001), heart failure (p = 0.047), abdominal aorta (p = 0.001) or superior mesenteric artery involvement (p = 0.018). TAK with bilateral RAI (vs unilateral RAI) more often had hypertension (p = 0.011) and blurring of vision (p = 0.049). TAK with bilateral RAI (vs without RAI) more frequently had hypertension (p = 0.002), heart failure (p = 0.036), abdominal aorta (p < 0.001), superior mesenteric artery (p = 0.002), or left subclavian artery involvement (p = 0.041). Despite higher morbidity (hypertension, CRF), mortality risk was not increased with RAI vs without RAI (HR 2.32, 95%CI 0.61-8.78), with bilateral RAI vs unilateral RAI (HR 2.65, 95%CI 0.52-13.42) or without RAI (HR 3.16, 95%CI 0.79-12.70) even after multivariable adjustment or PSM. CONCLUSION: RAI is associated with increased morbidity (CRF, hypertension, heart failure) but does not adversely affect survival in TAK. Key Points •Renal artery involvement in TAK is associated with chronic renal failure. •TAK with renal artery involvement more often have heart failure and hypertension. •Bilateral renal artery involvement (compared with unilateral) is more often associated with hypertension and visual symptoms. •Renal artery involvement is not associated with an increased risk of mortality in TAK.

Aortoduodenal fistula and abdominal aortic aneurysm as a complication of Brucella Aortitis managed with Insitu aortic aneurysm repair: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Brucella aortitis should be one of the differential diagnoses of inflammatory aortic aneurysms. In situ repair of intermittent aortoenteric fitulae and repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysm with synthetic graft can be used in clean scarred fistulae. Abstract: Arterial aneurysms are very rare complications of Brucella infection. The purpose of this case report is to document a case of abdominal aortic aneurysm and primary aorto-duodenal fistula as a complication of Brucella infection, along with the management of brucella induced aortoenteric fistula with insitu synthetic graft. We report a 53-year-old man with a complaint of abdominal pain and melena. Radiological evaluation revealed an inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm and a primary aorto-duodenal fistula was identified during surgery. The patient underwent laparotomy, and surgical repair of the aneurysm with a bifurcated Dacron graft, while the entry of the aorto-duodenal fistula was closed with intra-aortic sutures. One month later, the patient tested positive for the Wright agglutination test (1:80) and Coomb's test (1:640) for brucella, and was treated with doxycycline, rifampicin, and ciprofloxacin for brucellosis. Though rare, brucella aortitis should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses of inflammatory aortic aneurysms. In situ repair of intermittent aortoenteric fistula and repair of the infrarenal aortic aneurysm with synthetic graft could be considered in a clean scarred fistula.

When Multiple Conditions Converge: An Unusual Case of Infectious Aortitis in a Patient With Prurigo Nodularis and an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Endograft.

Infectious aortitis is a rare disease process that presents with mortality varying from 60% to 90%, even with aggressive treatment. This is a case involving a 69-year-old male who initially presented for acute encephalopathy. The patient's past medical history included coronary disease status post coronary bypass graft, abdominal aortic aneurysm status post endograft repair, prurigo nodularis, Tangier's disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and stage 3b chronic kidney disease. Initially, the work-up was unrevealing for a cause of the patient's acute encephalopathy. However, astute clinical evaluation led to the diagnosis of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia and abdominal infectious aortitis. Prurigo nodularis is a chronic dermatologic condition characterized by the development of intensely pruritic, firm nodules or bumps on the skin associated with itching and scratching. Prurigo nodularis itself does not directly result in bacteremia. However, in rare cases, severe and persistent scratching due to prurigo nodularis can lead to breaks in the skin, creating an entry point for bacteria to spread by the hematogenous route. Certainly, it is highly unusual to have a combination of prurigo nodularis, MSSA bacteremia, and abdominal aortic aneurysm endograft infection. Given the severity of these conditions individually, the combination presents a unique and challenging clinical scenario that requires prompt and coordinated management by a multidisciplinary team. This case report aims to provide new insights into the potential risk factors, clinical course, and management strategies for these combined conditions.