Background: The surgical treatment of cardiovascular disorders caused by in
flammatory diseases presents many difficulties, including suture detachment
and progression of vascular lesions. We here report the various surgical p
rocedures used to treat these disorders and their long-term outcomes. Metho
ds: We operated on 14 patients: eight with Takayasu's disease, three with s
ystemic lupus erythematosus, two with rheumatoid arthritis, and one with Be
hcet's disease. Patients were divided into three groups as follows; patient
s (n=7) requiring aortic valve replacement; patients (n=4) requiring recons
truction of the coronary artery; and patients (n=3) requiring aortic aneury
sm repair. Results: There were no early or late deaths in the postoperative
follow-up period of 70 +/- 40 months, but there was one operative death. T
hree patients received postoperative steroids due to progression of the inf
lammation. However, there were no major complications such as valve detachm
ent, pseudoaneurysmal Formation, or occlusion of the bypass conduit. Conclu
sions: We conclude that it: is crucial to reduce inflammation pre- and post
operatively, to reinforce the suture line, and to carefully select the oper
ative procedures when treating cardiovascular disorders caused by inflammat
ory diseases.