Ather N, Roberts WC. Cardiovascular ochronosis.
Cardiovasc Pathol 2020;
48:107219. [PMID:
32473412 DOI:
10.1016/j.carpath.2020.107219]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we summarize previously reported case reports (n=66) in which the presence of ochronotic pigment was found in one or more cardiovascular structures either at necropsy or after operative excision of a cardiac valve or portions of arteries or both. As illustration, we describe black pigment in operatively excised aortic valves and aorta in 2 patients, both probably examples of secondary ochronosis. Ochronosis appears to have fascinated a number of prominent historical figures in medicine, and this review also summarizes their important contributions to this topic.
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