Aortic and mitral valve disease induced by ergotamine therapy for migraine: a case report and review of the literature
Hendrikx, M.; Van Dorpe, J.; Flameng, W.; Daenen, W.
Journal of Heart Valve Disease 5(2): 235-237
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0966-8519 PMID: 8665020 Document Number: 455289
A case of aortic and mitral valve disease associated with ergotamine abuse is reported. A 34-year-old woman presented with dyspnea after a long standing history of peripheral vascular pathology associated with ergotamine abuse. Cardiac dysfunction was rapidly progressive. At surgery, nodular thickening of both valves and fusion of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve were seen. Microscopy revealed proliferation of myofibroblasts with little destruction of normal valvular elements. The similarity to lesions in carcinoid heart disease and in methysergide-associated valvular disease suggests direct stimulation of myofibroblast growth by serotonin agonist effect.