Cardiac Surgery for Ergotamine-Induced Multivalvular Heart Disease

Abstract

Ergotamine is used to abort or prevent vascular headache. Valvular heart disease as an adverse effect of long-term ergotamine therapy has been rarely reported in the English literature, with only a few cases published. It is hypothesized that ergot-derived agents stimulate serotonergic receptors (5-HT_2B), causing proliferation of myofibroblasts, with subsequent thickening of valve leaflets and chords. This case presentation aims at increasing clinicians' awareness of this potential complication.

Keywords

ergotamine - cardiac valve - cardiac surgery

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