Bilateral coronary ostial stenosis and aortic regurgitation in a patient with cardiovascular syphilis

Abstract Cardiovascular syphilis is associated with the tertiary stage of syphilis infection; it involves the ascending aorta and can cause aortic aneurysm, aortic regurgitation, and coronary ostial stenosis. We report a surgical case of bilateral coronary ostial lesion and aortic regurgitation due to syphilitic aortitis. Learning objective: Syphilitic aortitis involves the ascending aorta, resulting in aortic aneurysm, aortic regurgitation, and coronary ostial stenosis. Unlike atherosclerosis, coronary ostial stenosis is caused by aortic wall thickening, and coronary lesions distal to the ostia occur only rarely. After surgery, long-term follow up is mandatory as a result of aortic dilatation involving the sinuses of Valsalva, occurrence of prosthetic valve dehiscence, or graft failure caused by continuous infection of the aortic wall.>