Disguised discoloration: Minocycline-induced pigmented cardiac valves

Authors

  • Natasha Salmen College of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA Author
  • Taylor Pong Department of Dermatology, University of Vermont Health Network, Burlington, VT, USA Author
  • Sabrina Bennett Department of Dermatology, University of Vermont Health Network, Burlington, VT, USA Author
  • Deborah Cook Department of Pathology, University of Vermont Health Network, Burlington, VT, USA Author
  • Joseph Pierson Department of Dermatology, University of Vermont Health Network, Burlington, VT, USA Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25251/0sy2g960

Keywords:

hyperpigmentation, tetracycline, valves

Abstract

Tetracyclines are used for a variety of dermatologic conditions, and a known side effect of this therapy is hyperpigmentation in multiple tissues throughout the body. We present the case of a 66-year-old man who underwent aortic valve replacement and was found to have discoloration of the aortic valve leaflets associated with his chronic use of minocycline for rosacea. Minocycline-induced pigmentation of cardiac valves is a documented, although uncommon, phenomenon. There is no evidence linking valve pigmentation to functional valve defects. This case highlights an infrequent manifestation of minocycline-induced pigmentation.

References

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Published

01/05/2026

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 6 (2025): Dermatology Online Journal

Section

Case Presentation

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Natasha Salmen, Taylor Pong, Sabrina Bennett, Deborah Cook, Joseph Pierson (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.