SYPHILIS OF THE MYOCARDIUM AND CORONARY ARTERIES

Abstract

Syphilitic infection of the myocardium has been observed for more than a hundred years. The hearts most often described were those in which gummas were present. Little thought was given to the interstitial tissue changes until the years 1866 to 1894. In 1927 reports were made which indicated that myocardial syphilis is of rare occurrence, and some investigators have intimated that the myocardium is never affected by syphilis. Varied opinions and observations made by excellent pathologists have therefore given rise to considerable controversy concerning the disease. According to Conner, 1 who has recently published an excellent summary of the development of the knowledge concerning cardiovascular syphilis, Morgagni, in his dissections of syphilitic bodies during his lifetime (1682-1771), observed syphilis of the heart, pericardium, aorta and other arteries. In a woman, aged 22, he observed ulceration of both ventricles. Conner refers further to Ricord, who in 1845 first found a gummatous