Spectrum of coronary artery disease in seropositive syphilis patients in the modern era

Abstract

Context: Cardiovascular manifestations of tertiary syphilis include aortitis, aortic aneurysm, aortic regurgitation, and coronary ostial stenosis. There are few reported cases of coronary aneurysms and coronary dissection. However, in the modern era of antibiotics, classic manifestations are rarely seen. We intend to study the spectrum of coronary artery disease in seropositive syphilis patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Subjects and Methods: Coronary angiogram of 150 patients seropositive for syphilis from March 2019 to April 2020 was reviewed. Seropositive for both Venereal Disease Research Laboratory and Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay tests were an essential inclusion criterion. Prevalence of left main stenosis, coronary ostial stenosis, aneurysms, dissections, and other features were studied and compared to standard prevalence in the general population undergoing coronary angiogram. Results: Mean age was 56 years and 109 (73%) were male. Thirty-three percent were smokers, 39% were diabetic, 45% hypertensive, and 5% had prior stroke. We noticed left main stenosis in 8%, isolated ostial left main stenosis in 1.3%, spontaneous coronary artery dissection in 0.7%, and coronary aneurysm and ectasia in 4%; a similar prevalence to the general population as compared with earlier trials. Conclusion: In the present study, there was no significant increase in aorto-ostial stenosis, coronary aneurysm, or coronary dissection in seropositive syphilis patients. The classic manifestations of tertiary syphilis are rare in the modern era. All syphilis patients should be treated with proper antibiotics, as a case of giant aneurysm post left main ostial stenting was noticed in an untreated patient.

Keywords

• aorto-ostial stenosis
• cardiovascular syphilis
• coronary aneurysm
• spontaneous coronary artery dissection