Dilated cardiomyopathy in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. A case report
Retief, J.H.; Rossouw, D.S.; Theron, M.H.; Swanepoel, H.M.
South African Medical Journal 74(5): 238-240
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 3413615 Document Number: 321186
A patient presented with typical features of ankylosing spondylitis, as well as some of the biochemical abnormalities expected in this disease. In addition the patient had symptoms and signs of biventricular heart failure (dilated cardiomyopathy) with conduction defect. No valve lesions were demonstrated. A non-reducible head tilt, seldom described in ankylosing spondylitis, was also present. A short review of the possible mechanisms in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy in ankylosing spondylitis is given.