Mitral bioprosthesis hypertrophic scaring and native aortic valve fibrosis during benfluorex therapy

• Published in: Fundamental & clinical pharmacology 2012-04, Vol.26 (2), p.215-218
• Main Authors: Ayme‐Dietrich, Estelle, Lawson, Roland, Gasser, Bernard, Dallemand, Robert, Bischoff, Nicolas, Monassier, Laurent
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; adverse drug reaction; Aortic Valve - drug effects; Aortic Valve - pathology; benfluorex; Biological and medical sciences; Bioprosthesis; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic - chemically induced; Endocardial and cardiac valvular diseases; Female; Fenfluramine - adverse effects; Fenfluramine - analogs & derivatives; Fenfluramine - therapeutic use; Fibrosis; Heart; Heart Valve Diseases - chemically induced; Heart Valve Diseases - pathology; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation - methods; Humans; Hypolipidemic Agents - adverse effects; Hypolipidemic Agents - therapeutic use; Medical sciences; Mitral Valve Insufficiency - chemically induced; Mitral Valve Insufficiency - surgery; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; serotonergic receptors; valvular heart disease
• ISSN: 0767-3981; 1472-8206
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2012.01027.x

The authors describe the case of a simultaneous mitral bioprosthesis hypertrophic scaring and native aortic valve fibrosis during benfluorex therapy in a 40‐year‐old woman. Four years before, she underwent a mitral valve replacement after the diagnosis of mitral regurgitation during benfluorex treatment (150 mg/day). This drug was reintroduced postoperatively. She presented with exercise and sometimes resting dyspnoea. The bioprosthesis and aortic valves exhibited similar histopathological lesions. Thickening and plaque deposits made by smooth muscle alpha actin‐ and vimentin‐positive cells in a glycosaminoglycan matrix were observed. The study discusses the putative contribution of circulating progenitor cells activated by 5‐HT2B receptor agonists in the development of drug‐induced heart disease.