Rheumatoid Spondylitis and Aortic Insufficiency

HEART disease associated with rheumatoid spondylitis (Marie–Strumpell arthritis) has been a subject of interest for many years.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Pericarditis,6 , 7 , 10 , 13 , 15 16 17 myocarditis3 , 12 , 16 , 17 and particularly endocarditis with valvulitis1 2 3 4 5 6 7 , 9 10 11 12 13 , 15 16 17 have been reported. Involvement of the mitral and aortic valves has been described, but aortic-valve disease, particularly with aortic insufficiency, is apparently more common.10 , 11 , 13 , 16 17 18 Conduction disturbances, either as isolated defects or in conjunction with other evidence of heart disease, have also been observed.8 , 10 , 11 , 14 It has been stated that the heart disease in rheumatoid spondylitis characteristically follows an episode of acute polyarthritis,1 2 3 , 10 , 11 is more common in patients in whom chronic peripheral rheumatoid arthritis develops with the onset . . .