Aortitis

In other maternal heart disease we had 7 aortitises, 5 cardiomyopathies, 1 primary pulmonary hypertension, angina pectoris with familial hyperrholesterolaemia and pericarditis.

The presence of inflammatory cells in the aortic media or adventitia is indicative of aortitis.

Aortitis can affect any site in the aorta but has a predilection for the ascending aorta with a tendency to cause dilatation, aneurysms and aortic valve insufficiency (Figs. 42.1 and 42.2).