[Heyde syndrome]

Abstract

Since Heyde in 1958 suggested the association of aortic stenosis and significant gastrointestinal bleeding, the syndrome has been a matter of debate. After analysing the literature it is concluded 1) that a prospective well designed study is needed, but the Heyde syndrome seems to exist, since the gastrointestinal bleeding caused by angiodysplasia ceases after valve replacement in spite of the fact that the angiodysplasia remains, 2) that the cause of the association between aortic stenosis and bleeding from angiodysplasia is still uncertain, but impaired aggregability of thrombocytes does not seem to be the explanation and 3) that the treatment should be replacement of the stenotic aortic valve by either a mechanical or biological valve.