Necrotizing vasculitis: a cause of aortic insufficiency and conduction system disturbance

Cardiac involvement in vasculitis syndromes is uncommon. We describe a 50-year-old male who presented with progressive dyspnea and myalgies. Echocardiogram revealed significant thickening of aortic root, aortic cusps, and anterior mitral valve leaflet, with severe aortic regurgitation that required aortic valve replacement. Furthermore, this patient suffered progressive atrioventricular block that needed implantation of a pacemaker. The study performed disclosed the presence of necrotizing vasculitis positive for perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 20, October 2003)