Infectious aortitis and managing it at a community military hospital.

Infectious aortitis is a rare disease process which can be of fungal, viral or bacterial aetiology. This disease process is often incidentally found during concomitant infectious processes, likely due to haematogenous spread. Common sources are from cardiac, genitourinary and gastroenterologic sources. CT imaging of the aorta is essential in identifying physiological changes-wall thickness changes, ectasia and stenosis. We present a case of a female in her early 60s with a medical history of cardiomyopathy with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction, who was initially admitted for acute cholecystitis complicated by the development of gallstone pancreatitis. Imaging evaluation incidentally noted findings consistent with aortitis with a penetrating ulcer, and blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, confirming her diagnosis of infectious aortitis. She was started on intravenous antibiotics, required preoperative nutritional optimisation, and subsequently underwent an open aortic resection and aortoiliac reconstruction with rifampin-soaked Dacron graft.

Increased recognition of Q fever aortitis as a chronic manifestation of Q fever in tropical North Queensland, Australia.

Aortitis is a life-threatening, manifestation of chronic Q fever. We report a series of 5 patients with Q fever aortitis who have presented to our hospital in tropical Australia since 2019. All diagnoses were confirmed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of aortic tissue. Only one had a previous diagnosis of acute Q fever, and none had classical high-risk exposures that might increase clinical suspicion for the infection. All patients underwent surgery: one died and 3 had significant complications. Q fever aortitis may be underdiagnosed; clinicians should consider testing for Coxiella burnetii in people with aortic pathology in endemic areas.

Tertiary Cardiovascular Syphilis Presenting as Aortic Regurgitation, Aortitis, Thrombus, and Coronary Artery Occlusion, Requiring Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND Heart failure is caused by coronary artery disease, valvular disease, and arrhythmias and is highly treatable with recent technology. However, the incidence of syphilis is increasing worldwide. This case report describes tertiary cardiovascular syphilis, accompanied by aortic regurgitation, syphilitic aortitis complicated by thrombus of the ascending aorta, and coronary artery occlusion, requiring percutaneous coronary artery intervention. CASE REPORT A 51-year-old Japanese man with no significant medical history was admitted to the hospital for worsening shortness of breath on exertion. On physical examination, there was no edema in either lower leg. Chest X-rays showed an enlarged heart and pulmonary congestion, and echocardiography showed a left ventricular ejection fraction of 18%, with full circumferential wall motion impairment. Heart failure was diagnosed, and the patient was found to have severe coronary artery disease and aortic regurgitation. He underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for his coronary artery occlusion and was treated with medications for heart failure. Two months later, his condition improved, and PCI was performed for the revascularization of the remaining coronary artery. After PCI was completed, the patient was evaluated for vasculitis. The aortic wall lesion was likely a result of non-active syphilitic aortitis, and the results of serological tests of syphilis were positive. Therefore, we concluded that the diagnosis was cardiovascular syphilis. CONCLUSIONS This case report has highlighted the need for clinicians to be aware of the cardiovascular findings in syphilis, including syphilitic aortitis, particularly at this time, when the global incidence of syphilis is increasing.

Successful surgical treatment of Stanford type A aortic dissection due to Salmonella aortitis.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella spp. cause infectious aortitis through the hematogenous spread of an intestinal Salmonella infection. Salmonella aortitis can result in extensive tissue damage in the aorta leading to complications including dissection, abscess formation, pseudoaneurysms, and rupture, which require early diagnosis and treatment with both surgery and antibiotic therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of Salmonella aortitis complicated by Stanford type A aortic dissection. A 62-year-old man with a history of heroin use presented with chest pain, epigastric pain and vomiting. The computed tomography scan showed Stanford type A aortic dissection without malperfusion. At the time of surgery, an aortic dissection with purulent fluid and contained rupture was noted in the ascending aorta. Fluid culture was consistent with Salmonella. A composite valve-graft conduit aortic root replacement with ascending aorta and hemiarch replacement was performed. The patient recovered well and was discharged on long-term antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: This rare case of a Stanford type A aortic dissection with contained rupture due to Salmonella aortitis was successfully treated with emergent surgery and antibiotic therapy.

Giant-Cell Aortitis-Induced Acute Aortic Insufficiency: An Underestimated Etiology.

BACKGROUND Acute aortic insufficiency can be secondary to multiple conditions, including infective endocarditis, aortic root pathologies (eg, dissection, aortitis), or traumatic injury. Aortitis involves a broad spectrum of disorders characterized by inflammatory changes in the aortic wall. This pathology can be subsequently classified depending on its etiology into inflammatory and infectious causes. Large-vessel vasculitis (giant-cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, and IgG4-related vasculitis) is the most common non-infectious causes of aortitis. Giant-cell aortitis usually lacks the classic clinical findings of giant-cell arteritis such as headache, visual symptoms, or jaw claudication, which can be a diagnostic challenge. However, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion, since this pathology can evolve into potentially life-threatening conditions, including aortic aneurysm, aortic wall rupture, and aortic acute dissection. CASE REPORT We present a case of a 76-year-old woman who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with shortness of breath associated with orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and mild productive cough with white sputum. A transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, dilated left ventricle, and severe aortic insufficiency. Cardiac catheterization revealed mild non-obstructive coronary arteries and severe aortic regurgitation. The surgical pathology report of the portion of the aorta was consistent with giant-cell aortitis. CONCLUSIONS In this article, we present a case of giant-cell aortitis as an unusual etiology of acute aortic insufficiency, which is most probably under-detected in clinical practice. In addition to describing the case, we aim to highlight the importance of proper ascending aorta evaluation in patients presenting with new-onset aortic regurgitation and heart failure to prevent associated morbidity and mortality.

Prognostic factors in giant cell arteritis associated aortitis with PET/CT and CT angiography at diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Prognosis data on giant-cell arteritis (GCA)-associated aortitis are scarce and heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to compare the relapses of patients with GCA-associated aortitis according to the presence of aortitis on CT-angiography (CTA) and/or on FDG-PET/CT. METHODS: This multicenter study included GCA patients with aortitis at diagnosis; each case underwent both CTA and FDG-PET/CT at diagnosis. A centralized review of image was performed and identified patients with both CTA and FDG-PET/CT positive for aortitis (Ao-CTA+/PET+); patients with positive FDG-PET/CT but negative CTA for aortitis (Ao-CTA-/PET+), and patients solely positive on CTA. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were included with 62 (77%) of female sex. Mean age was 67±8 years; 64 patients (78%) were in the Ao-CTA+/PET+ group; 17 (22%) in the Ao-CTA-/PET+ group and 1 had aortitis only on CTA. Overall, 51 (62%) patients had at least one relapse during follow-up: 45/64 (70%) in the Ao-CTA+/PET+ group and 5/17 (29%) in the Ao-CTA-/PET+ group (log rank, p = 0.019). In multivariate analysis, aortitis on CTA (Hazard Ratio 2.90, p = 0.03) was associated with an increased risk of relapse. CONCLUSION: Positivity of both CTA and FDG-PET/CT for GCA-related aortitis was associated with an increased risk of relapse. Aortic wall thickening on CTA was a risk factor of relapse compared with isolated aortic wall FDG uptake.

IgG4 related disease and aortitis: an up-to-date review.

Aortic involvement in immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is extremely rare and is often overlooked during the aortitis work-up. IgG4-related aortitis differs from non-IgG4-related aortitis in its histopathological features, site of involvement, laboratory markers, and treatment options. The histopathological examination of the vessel walls characteristically reveals adventitial thickening with intimal sparing, typically affecting the infrarenal abdominal aorta. In addition, inadequate knowledge about the disease often leads to delayed or missed diagnosis and undermanagement of a potentially treatable condition. Hence, in this paper, we review the unique clinical manifestations, laboratory markers, diagnostic features, current treatment strategies, and novel experimental therapeutic options in the management of IgG4-related aortitis.

Recurring episodes of bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia due to aortitis preceded by SARS-CoV-2 infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 may trigger both vasculitis and arrhythmias as part of a multisystem inflammatory syndrome described in children as well as in adults following COVID-19 infection with only minor respiratory symptoms. The syndrome denotes a severe dysfunction of one or more extra-pulmonary organ systems, with symptom onset approximately 2-5 weeks after the COVID-19 infection. In the present case, a seemingly intractable ventricular tachycardia preceded by SARS-CoV2 infection was only managed following the diagnosis and management of aortitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old woman was hospitalized due to syncope, following a mild COVID-19 infection. She presented with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and intermittent ventricular tachycardia interpreted as a septum-triggered bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia, unaffected by amiodaron, lidocaine and adenosine. A CT-scan revealed inflammation of the aortic arch, extending into the aortic root. In the following days, the tachycardia progressed to ventricular storm with intermittent third-degree AV block. A temporary pacemaker was implanted, and radiofrequency ablation was performed to both sides of the ventricular septum after which the ventricular tachycardia was non-inducible. Following supplemental prednisolone treatment, cardiac symptoms and arrythmia subsided, but recurred after tapering. Long-term prednisolone treatment was therefore initiated with no relapse in the following 14 months. CONCLUSION: We present a rare case of aortitis complicated with life-threatening ventricular tachycardia presided by Covid-19 infection without major respiratory symptoms. Given a known normal AV conduction prior to the COVID-19 infection, it seems likely that the ensuing aortitis in turn affected the septal myocardium, enabling the reentry tachycardia. Generally, bundle branch reentry tachycardia is best treated with radiofrequency ablation, but if it is due to aortitis with myocardial affection, long-term anti-inflammatory treatment is mandatory to prevent relapse and assure arrhythmia control. Our case highlights importance to recognize the existence of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) following COVID-19 infection in patients with alarming cardiovascular symptoms. The case shows that the early use of an CT-scan was crucial for both proper diagnosis and treatment option.

Retrospective Multicenter Study Comparing Infectious and Noninfectious Aortitis.

BACKGROUND: Determining the etiology of aortitis is often challenging, in particular to distinguish infectious aortitis (IA) and noninfectious aortitis (NIA). This study aims to describe and compare the clinical, biological, and radiological characteristics of IA and NIA and their outcomes. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was performed in 10 French centers, including patients with aortitis between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2019. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-three patients were included. Of these, 66 had IA (36.1%); the causative organism was Enterobacterales and streptococci in 18.2% each, Staphylococcus aureus in 13.6%, and Coxiella burnetii in 10.6%. NIA was diagnosed in 117 patients (63.9%), mainly due to vasculitides (49.6%), followed by idiopathic aortitis (39.3%). IA was more frequently associated with aortic aneurysms compared with NIA (78.8% vs 17.6%, P < .001), especially located in the abdominal aorta (69.7% vs 23.1%, P < .001). Crude and adjusted survival were significantly lower in IA compared to NIA (P < .001 and P = .006, respectively). In the IA cohort, high American Society of Anesthesiologists score (hazard ratio [HR], 2.47 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.08-5.66]; P = .033) and free aneurysm rupture (HR, 9.54 [95% CI, 1.04-87.11]; P = .046) were significantly associated with mortality after adjusting for age, sex, and Charlson comorbidity score. Effective empiric antimicrobial therapy, initiated before any microbial documentation, was associated with a decreased mortality (HR, 0.23, 95% CI, .08-.71]; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: IA was complicated by significantly higher mortality rates compared with NIA. An appropriate initial antibiotic therapy appeared as a protective factor in IA.

A case of aortoduodenal fistula caused by IgG4-related periaortitis.

An 86-year-old man who underwent endovascular aortic repair for impending rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm a year ago presented to our hospital because of fatigue and black stools. Multiple bacterial specimens were detected in blood cultures, and computed tomography following oral administration of gastrografin demonstrated gastrografin in the abdominal aorta. The diagnosis of aortic duodenal fistula was confirmed and emergency abdominal aortic replacement was performed. The pathological findings of the aorta included a large number of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-positive plasma cells infiltrating all layers of the aortic wall, with particularly marked thickening of the adventitia. The serum IgG4 level was 241 mg/dl and IgG4-related periaortitis was diagnosed. Aortoduodenal fistula is a rare but fatal complication of IgG4-related periaortitis. Patients should be followed carefully after endovascular aortic repair for inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Giant cell arteritis in the elderly / Maladie de Horton du sujet âgé

Introduction: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) or Horton's disease is a segmental and focal inflammation of large and medium-sized arteries mostly seen in patients of 50 years and older. There is also a peak frequency in individuals between the ages of 70 and 80. However, clinical data is scarce in this age group and especially in patients over 80. Methods: A retrospective study comprised of patients diagnosed with Horton's arteritis between 2012 and 2017, according to the American Society of Rheumatology, was conducted at Reims University Hospital. Patients were assigned to two groups according to age (≤ 75 and < 75) in order to evaluate and compare the impact of age on diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Results: A total of 67 patients were studied. The mean age upon diagnosis was 75,85 ±8.5 years; 36 patients (53.7%) 75 years or younger and 31 patients older than 75. There was a female predominance (43 patients), 22 patients aged 75 years or younger and 21 older than 75. The mean follow up duration was 43.02 months in patients aged 75 years or younger and 30.99 in patients older than 75. This represents a difference of more than one year in terms of follow up, but is not statistically significant (p = 0.620). Eleven patients (16.4%) died during follow up: 5 patients (13.9%) aged 75 years or younger and 6 patients (19.4%) older than 75 (p = 0.547). Aortitis was significantly less seen in patients older than 75 (p = 0.0410). Conclusion: Our study showed no significant difference in either age group. However, aortitis was less seen in patients older than 75 years. Patients aged 75 or younger seemed more prone to relapses, but their follow up periods were shorter.

Introduction: L'artérite à cellules géantes (ACG) ou maladie de Horton est une artérite inflammatoire segmentaire et focale des artères de gros et moyen calibre du sujet de plus de 50 ans, avec un pic de fréquence chez le sujet très âgé entre 70 et 80 ans. Dans cette classe d'âge et au-delà de 80 ans, les données cliniques concernant l'AGC sont peu nombreuses. Notre objectif est de documenter ces dernières à travers une étude monocentrique menée sur une population avec une AGC avérée. Patients et méthode: Nous avons mené une étude rétrospective, monocentrique sur les dossiers médicaux de patients diagnostiqués artérite de Horton selon les critères de l'ASR entre 2012 et 2017 au CHU de Reims. Pour évaluer l'influence de l'âge sur le plan diagnostic, thérapeutique, du suivi et du pronostic, nous avons comparé des patients de 75 ans et moins (≤ 75 ans) à ceux de plus de 75 ans (> 75 ans) sur ces différents points. Résultats: Soixante-sept patients ont été inclus. L'âge moyen au diagnostic de ces patients était de 75,85 ± 8,5 ans ; 36 patients (53,7 %) étaient âgés de 75 ans ou moins (dont 22 femmes) et 31 patients (46,3 %) étaient âgés de plus de 75 ans (dont 21 femmes). La médiane de suivi était de 43,02 mois chez les patients ≤ 75 ans et de 30,99 mois chez les > 75 ans, soit près d'un an de différence, mais non significative (p = 0,620). Onze patients (16,4 %) étaient décédés au cours du suivi, 5 (13,9 %) chez les patients ≤ 75 ans et 6 (19,4 %) chez les patients de > 75 ans (p = 0,547). Les patients > 75 ans avaient significativement moins d'aortite (p = 0,0410). Il y avait une tendance à moins de rechute chez les patients de > 75 ans (p = 0,067). Pour les autres symptômes ou anomalies biologiques, les résultats de la biopsie d'artère temporale, la prise en charge thérapeutique, les complications iatrogènes et les décès, aucune différence significative n'était mise en évidence entre les deux groupes (p = ns). Conclusion: Notre étude montre peu de différence en ce qui concerne l'AGC entre les patients > 75 ans et ceux ≤ 75 ans. Toutefois, les patients > 75 ans ont moins d'aortite que les sujets plus jeunes. Il semble également y avoir une tendance à davantage de rechute chez les sujets les plus jeunes, sous réserve d'une durée de suivi plus courte d'un an, cliniquement pertinente, chez les sujets les plus âgés.

Ascending aortic aneurysm associated with lymphoplasmacytic thoracic aortitis mimics acute type A intramural hematoma - case report.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphoplasmacytic thoracic aortitis is still underrecognized cause of thoracic aortic aneurysm. CASE REPORT: We herein report a case of symptomatic inflammatory ascending aortic aneurysm and pericarditis diagnosed on CT scan as acute type A intramural hematoma. Patient underwent emergency supracoronary ascending aorta replacement with a prosthetic graft. Marked inflammatory thickening of aneurysm wall was the intraoperative finding. Histopathologic examination of the excised aortic tissue showed inflammation with lymphoplasmacytic pattern of aortitis. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that lymphoplasmacytic aortitis may mimic symptoms and radiological findings of intramural hematoma.

Comprehensive assessment and outcomes of patients with chronic periaortitis.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic periaortitis (CP) is a less known but more frequently diagnosed fibro-inflammatory disorder, but we know little about it and data regarding follow-up and outcome are still very limited. This study aims to identify the clinicopathologic, laboratory, and radiologic features, as well as outcomes of CP patients. METHODS: Patients with CP from HUVAC database were included in the study. CP was diagnosed based on compatible imaging findings and histopathological evaluation (if available), in addition to clinical findings. Demographics, laboratory, clinical, and imaging data were retrospectively reviewed from medical records. RESULTS: A total of 51 (male/female:37/14) patients were included in the study. Median (IQR) age was 63 (53-69) years and follow-up duration was 40 (4-60) months. 32 of the patients were IgG4-related CP. The most common form of CP in our cohort was idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (82%), followed by inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms (12%) and peri-aneurysmal retroperitoneal fibrosis (8%). 8 (15.6%) patients had thoracic periaortitis and 16 (31.6%) venous involvement. Cyclophosphamide (CYC) combined with steroids was the most preferred treatment modality (43%), followed by rituximab (RTX) (31.3%). Follow-up imaging was done after a median (IQR) of 7(3-11) months, 30% of the patients were stable and 64.1% showed regression. A total of 18 (35.2%) had been taken off therapy at the last visit. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis was the most frequent presentation, whereas 15.6% of patients had thoracic involvement. Venous involvement was also not uncommon. Optimal time for follow-up imaging was determined as 6-9 months. Steroids along with CYC/RTX had a favourable outcome in the treatment of these patients.

How to mimic a type A intramural hematoma: A case of IgG4-related aortitis associated with cerebral hemorrhage.

IgG4-related aortitis is an inflammatory condition of the aorta, characterized by aortic wall thickening and periaortic soft-tissue involvement. Therefore, this condition can mimic an aortic intramural hematoma (IMH), due to similar radiological findings. We hereby report the case of an IgG4-related aortitis misdiagnosed as an IMH, associated with cerebral hemorrhage, possibly due to cerebral vascular system involvement.

Immunoglobulin G4-Related Aortitis and Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis Treated With Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and Immunosuppression.

IgG4-related disease is an immune-mediated fibro-inflammatory disorder with multisystemic involvement. Aortitis and peri-aortitis are the most common cardiovascular manifestations of the disease. We present the case of a 65-year-old man with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and concomitant IgG4 aortitis. The diagnosis was confirmed by IgG4 serum levels, positive positron emission computed tomography (PET-CT) scans, and pathology from mediastinal dissection. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) was unfeasible owing to extensive mediastinal fibrosis, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was successfully performed. As ascending aorta access for SAVR in IgG4 aortitis with long-run fibrosis entails a high risk of mortality, TAVR could be considered in certain suitable patients.