From the Guidelines
Syphilitic aortitis is characterized by tertiary syphilis.
Key Characteristics of Syphilitic Aortitis
- It typically occurs 10 to 25 years after the initial spirochetal infection 1
- The ascending thoracic aorta is most often involved 1
- It is a late complication of syphilis, which is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum
Diagnosis and Management
- Syphilitic aortitis is a rare cause of thoracic aortic aneurysms 1
- Infection most often arises in a diseased aorta, either in a preexisting aneurysm, at the site of an atherosclerotic plaque, or at the site of some accidental or iatrogenic aortic trauma 1
- The diagnosis of syphilis is typically made using serologic tests, such as the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test or the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test 1
- Treatment of syphilis typically involves the use of antibiotics, such as penicillin 1
Clinical Considerations
- Syphilitic aortitis can lead to serious complications, including aortic aneurysm formation and rupture 1
- It is essential to diagnose and treat syphilis promptly to prevent long-term complications, including syphilitic aortitis 1
From the Research
Syphilitic Aortitis Stage
- Syphilitic aortitis is characterized by the tertiary stage of syphilis, as indicated by studies 2, 3, 4, 5
- This stage is marked by various cardiovascular manifestations, including aortic regurgitation, dilatation of the ascending aorta, and ostial coronary artery lesions 2, 3, 4
- Although aortitis is typically associated with tertiary syphilis, there have been rare cases reported in secondary syphilis, as seen in the study 6
- The tertiary stage of syphilis can lead to severe complications, such as aortic aneurysm, aortic valvular insufficiency, aortic root dilation, and coronary ostial stenosis 3, 4
Key Characteristics
- Syphilitic aortitis is often characterized by aortic regurgitation, dilatation of the ascending aorta, and ostial coronary artery lesions 2, 3, 4
- The condition can lead to severe complications, including aortic aneurysm, aortic valvular insufficiency, and coronary ostial stenosis 3, 4
- Diagnosis and treatment of syphilitic aortitis require a multidisciplinary approach, as seen in the study 6