Key result
SAVR completely resolves recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding and normalizes von Willebrand factor in Heyde syndrome.
Why the study?
Heyde's syndrome is a recognized but often underdiagnosed cause of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis and acquired von Willebrand factor deficiency.
Does surgical aortic valve replacement resolve recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with Heyde's syndrome?
Case Report (n=1)
Does surgical aortic valve replacement resolve recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with Heyde's syndrome?
This case highlights that surgical aortic valve replacement provides definitive therapy for recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with Heyde's syndrome by correcting the underlying valvular and hematologic defects.
Supports SAVR for bleeding resolution in Heyde's syndrome; hypothesis-generating and leaves open need for prospective validation.
Heyde's syndrome is a recognized but often underdiagnosed cause of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding in elderly patients, characterized by the triad of severe aortic stenosis, gastrointestinal angiodysplasia, and acquired von Willebrand factor (vWF) deficiency. We report the case of a 72-year-old male who presented with recurrent melena over 6 months, associated with progressive anemia and fatigue. Despite multiple hospitalizations and repeated upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy, no bleeding source was identified. Further evaluation revealed severe calcific aortic stenosis on echocardiography and evidence of acquired vWF deficiency. Capsule endoscopy identified angiodysplasia in the proximal jejunum. The patient was initially managed with supportive and endoscopic measures; however, due to persistent bleeding, he underwent surgical aortic valve replacement. Following valve replacement, gastrointestinal bleeding resolved completely, hemoglobin levels normalized, and vWF multimers were restored. This case highlights the importance of recognizing the diagnostic triad of Heyde's syndrome and supports aortic valve replacement as definitive therapy.
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Kakde et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Heyde's syndrome (severe aortic stenosis, gastrointestinal angiodysplasia, and acquired vWF deficiency) (n=1). Surgical aortic valve replacement was evaluated on Resolution of gastrointestinal bleeding and normalization of hemoglobin and vWF profile. Surgical aortic valve replacement completely resolved recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, normalized hemoglobin levels, and restored the vWF profile.
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