Acute Fulminant Aortic and Mitral Insufficiency in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

EXTRASKELETAL manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis include aortitis with aortic^{1 , 2} and rarely mitral^{3 , 4} valvular insufficiency. Cardiac dysfunction usually develops late and progresses slowly.¹ The acute case of aortitis presented below required emergency bivalvular replacement antedating spondylitis.Case ReportA 16-year-old boy was admitted to Sacramento Medical Center, on August 10, 1971, with a three-week history of exertional dyspnea, constitutional symptoms and a 4-kg weight loss. The history was negative for previous murmurs.The blood pressure was 120/50 mm Hg, the pulse 90, and the temperature 37.0°C. The precordium was hyperactive, with a Grade IV of VI harsh systolic murmur at the . . .