Background: The Heyde syndrome consists of the association of gastrointestinal bleeding from angiodysplasia with aortic valve stenosis. Its existence has been repeatedly questioned or reconfirmed, and the proposed underlying mechanism is the degradation of a coagulation factor caused by the stenotic valve, which facilitates bleeding from angiodysplastic lesions.
Patient case: We report the case of a patient with severe recurrent small-intestinal bleeding from angiodysplasia, diagnosed by a videocapsule, and aortic valve stenosis. He underwent aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis as an extreme life-saving procedure. The operation was followed by the cessation of bleeding for 10 months, then bleeding recurred, emergency bowel resection was needed, and was followed by a chain of events which led to the patient's death.
Conclusion: This case offers an extreme example of the challenging issues still involved in the management of patients with Heyde syndrome.
Copyright 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.