Aortic valve replacement and ascending aorta replacement in ankylosing spondylitis: report of three surgical cases and review of the literature.

Out of 887 consecutive patients who underwent aortic valve replacement between January 1976 and December 1981 at Hannover Medical School Hospital, 3 patients had severe aortic valve insufficiency associated with ankylosing spondylitis (Morbus Bechterew). One of them had huge aneurysmatic dilatation of the ascending aorta and successfully underwent replacement of the ascending aorta by a vascular prosthesis. Microscopical examination of the resected aortic wall showed characteristic findings of aortitis in ankylosing spondylitis. The 3 patients are in good clinical condition at 5 and 6 months, and 2 1/2 years, respectively, after uneventful surgery. It is concluded that aortic valve replacement in patients with ankylosing spondylitis can be performed feasibly and clinical results have been satisfactory. The risk of aneurysmatic dilatation of the ascending aorta resulting from aortitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis is emphasized.