II. Background
- Manifestation of Tertiary Syphilis
III. Pathophysiology
- Arterial wall medial necrosis and loss of elastic fibers
- Typically affects aorta but may affect any part of the Cardiovascular System
IV. Course
- Begins 5 to 10 years after initial infection
- Clinically seen 20-30 years after infection
V. Signs
- Obliterative endarteritis of vasa vasorum
- Ascending aorta develops
- Aortic Insufficiency
- Aortic aneurysm
VI. Labs
- See Syphilis Testing
VII. Management
- See Syphilis
- See Neurosyphilis
VIII. Complications
- Aortic Insufficiency
- Aorta Rupture
IX. References
- Kirk, McHugh and Parnell (2023) Crit Dec Emerg Med 37(8): 23-9
- Green, Cohen, Billington (2016) Crit Dec Emerg Med 30(11): 4-10