Why the study?
Is surgical treatment (valvular replacement) safe and feasible in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis and aortic regurgitation?
Is surgical treatment (valvular replacement) safe and feasible in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis and aortic regurgitation?
Valvular replacement should be considered in patients with severe valvular disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis, as theoretical complications did not materialize in this small series.
May support valvular replacement in severe RA with AR; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Two patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis and aortic regurgitation, developed progressive symptoms of left ventricular failure. Symptoms were inadequately controlled by medical therapy. Surgical treatment was at first considered with great reluctance because of the theoretical risk of operative and postoperative complications in patients with a diffuse disease of connective tissue. The suspected complications did not materialize. Valvular replacement should be considered in patients with severe valvular disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
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Barraclough et al. (1975) studied this question.
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