An elderly man with tuberculous aortitis presented with massive gastrointestinal bleeding resulting from an aortoduodenal fistula. Aortic resection was successful, and he has done well over a 12 year period. The organism was recovered from the aorta and also seen on section of the neighboring lymph nodes. Although tuberculous aortitis is rare, it should be considered in a patient with prior history of tuberculosis who has developed evidence of aortic disease, aneurysm, or massive gastrointestinal bleeding.
Severe mitral regurgitation in the setting of an evolving myocardial infarction is associated with a high operative mortality rate. Five patients with acute severe mitral regurgitation secondary to ischemic posterior papillary muscle dysfunction underwent emergent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Two patients were in cardiogenic shock and required intraaortic balloon counterpulsation. Angioplasty resulted in rapid improvement in hemodynamic variables, and all patients were discharged at a mean of 10 days after the procedure. Long-term follow-up study (mean 35 +/- 6 months) revealed normal mitral valve function angiographically and by Doppler echocardiography in four patients. Repeat angioplasty was required in one patient, and another underwent coronary artery bypass surgery without valve replacement for restenosis. One patient developed progressive mitral regurgitation and required elective mitral valve replacement 12 months after angioplasty. These preliminary findings suggest that emergent coronary angioplasty is a useful therapeutic intervention in the treatment of ischemic mitral regurgitation and is associated with a favorable long-term outcome.
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