Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2003;23:423
© 2003 Elsevier Science NL
Images in cardio-thoracic surgery |
Ochronosis of the aorta
S. Ghotkar*,
M. Kuduvalli,
W. Dihmis
Cardiothoracic Centre, Thomas Drive, Liverpool, L14 3PE, UK
Received 11 June 2002;
received in revised form 10 September 2002;
accepted 1 October 2002.
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +44-151-293-2391; fax: +44-151-293-2254
e-mail: vishvsanjay{at}hotmail.com
Key Words: Alcaptonuria Ochronosis Aortic stenosis
A 63-year-old lady with alcaptonuria had aortic stenosis and was referred for aortic valve replacement. At operation the aorta appeared slate coloured. On aortotomy (Fig. 1)
there was greyish black discoloration of the intimal surface of the aorta and left ventricular cavity. The aortic valve was also black in colour, stenotic and calcified.