Malar flush is a plum-red discolouration of the high cheeks. It is classically associated with mitral valve stenosis due to the resulting CO2 retention and its vasodilatory effects. It can also be associated with lupus, polycythemia vera and homocystinuria.

Malar flush
Differential diagnosismitral stenosis, SLE

Definition

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Malar flush is a plum-red discolouration of the high cheeks.[1]

Pathophysiology

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Mitral valve stenosis may cause malar flush due to CO2 retention, which causes vasodilation of arterioles in the cheeks.[1]

It can also be associated with other conditions, such as lupus,[2] polycythemia vera[3] and homocystinuria.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Topol, Eric J; Califf, Robert M (2007). Textbook of cardiovascular medicine (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 194. ISBN 9780781770125. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  2. ^ Dreizen, S. (January 1991). "The butterfly rash and the malar flush. What diseases do these signs reflect?". Postgraduate Medicine. 89 (1): 225–228, 233–234. doi:10.1080/00325481.1991.11700800. ISSN 0032-5481. PMID 1824645.
  3. ^ Clarke, R. "Mitral Facies" (PDF). Ask Doctor Clarke. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  4. ^ Marcdante, Karen; Kliegman, Robert M. (2019). Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics, 8th edition. Elsevier. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-323-51145-2.