When does cardiovascular syphilis occur?

Cardiovascular syphilis affects approximately 10% of those who have untreated secondary syphilis and develops 10–30 years following the primary infection after a prolonged latent phase. Early-stage cardiovascular syphilis primarily consists of inflammation of the aorta (syphilitic aortitis), whereas late disease leads to aortic and valvular destruction with potentially disastrous complications (eg, aortic aneurysm, aortic regurgitation, heart failure).