Heyde's syndrome

Heyde's syndrome is a medical condition that involves the combination of aortic stenosis and gastrointestinal bleeding due to angiodysplasia. The syndrome was named after Edward C. Heyde, MD, who first noted the association in 1958.

Symptoms and Signs

Patients with Heyde's syndrome typically present with symptoms of aortic stenosis, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and syncope. They may also have signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, including melena (black, tarry stools), hematochezia (bright red blood in stools), or anemia due to chronic blood loss.

Pathophysiology

The exact mechanism of Heyde's syndrome is not fully understood. However, it is believed that the aortic stenosis leads to a high-velocity jet of blood that causes mechanical injury to the gastrointestinal tract, leading to the formation of angiodysplasias. These angiodysplasias are prone to bleeding, leading to the gastrointestinal symptoms seen in this syndrome.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Heyde's syndrome is made based on the presence of aortic stenosis and gastrointestinal bleeding due to angiodysplasia. This may involve echocardiography to confirm the presence of aortic stenosis, and endoscopy or colonoscopy to identify the source of the gastrointestinal bleeding.

Treatment

The treatment of Heyde's syndrome involves addressing both the aortic stenosis and the gastrointestinal bleeding. This may involve aortic valve replacement to treat the aortic stenosis, and endoscopic therapy or surgery to treat the gastrointestinal bleeding.

See Also

• Aortic stenosis
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Angiodysplasia

References

Heyde's syndrome Resources
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