RECURRENT AORTIC-VALVE PROSTHESIS DEHISCENCE SECONDARY TO AORTOARTERITIS - 3 CASE-REPORTS AND LITERATURE-REVIEW

We report three young Chinese male patients who underwent aortic valve replacement for severe aortic regurgitation of subacute onset, compli cated by recurrent dehiscence of the aortic valve prosthesis, due to a ortitis. One of the three patients underwent aortic valve replacement three times and progression of the prosthesis dehiscence was arrested with the use of corticosteroids. A review of the literature on the pro gnosis and treatment of aortoarteritis with particular reference to th e management of recurrent valvular dehiscence is discussed.