Aortic incompetence of rheumatic origin INSUFICIENCIA AORTICA REUMATOIDEA

The case of a female patient age 37, with antecedents of arthritic episodes for the last 13 yr, and heart failure for the last 4 yr, is reported. Gold salts, oral and local steroids, and physical therapy were used achieving only temporary relief of the symptoms. The diagnosis hypothesis on the last admission to the hospital was: rheumatic syndrome of unknown etiology, rheumatic fever, aortic insufficiency and congestive heart failure. The necropsy findings confirmed the existence of suprasigmoid aortitis and aortic insufficiency of the type described in ankylosing spondylitis. This etiology was discarded since the articular lesions were those of episodic rheumatoid arthritis and because X-ray studies were negative for ankylosing spondylitis. Other etiologies were also discussed and excluded: syphilis and rheumatic fever