[Angiodysplasia of the ileum and cardiomyopathy].

A patient aged 73 had repeated episodes of melaena and a systolic murmur suggesting mitral insufficiency. An obstructive cardiomyopathy was diagnosed on echocardiography, while the gastro-intestinal tract investigations proved negative (gastro-duodenal endoscopy, barium meal and follow-through), until ileal vascular tumours were diagnosed by selective mesenteric arteriography. Diagnosis could only be confirmed on exploratory laparotomy, and definitive treatment was undertaken at the same time. The authors discuss the practical and theoretical consequences, including the need for thorough gastro-intestinal investigations in patients with repeated intestinal haemorrhage, particularly in the presence of a systolic murmur which is not necessarily the sign of aortic stenosis.