Black aorta in a patient with alkaptonuria (ochronosis)

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2011 Jun;12(6):444-5. doi: 10.2459/JCM.0b013e328344e5d2.

Abstract

A rare cause of valvular heart disease is the deposition of foreign material in the valvular tissues, including material accumulating as a result of inborn errors of metabolism of the essential amino acids. Alkaptonuria can result in accumulation of homogentisic acid. We report the case of a patient with alkaptonuria undergoing surgery for aortic valve replacement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alkaptonuria / complications*
  • Alkaptonuria / metabolism*
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / etiology*
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / metabolism
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / surgery
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation*
  • Homogentisic Acid / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Ochronosis / etiology*
  • Ochronosis / metabolism
  • Ochronosis / surgery

Substances

  • Homogentisic Acid