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Sinus node dysfunction in a heart transplant patient secondary to severe sinus node artery obstruction--a case report
Can Hasdemir1, Krishnaswamy Chandrasekaran, Ralph Lazzara
1Cardiovascular Section and Cardiac Arrhythmia Research Institute, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73190, USA.
Angiology
|December 12, 2003
Summary
Severe sinus node artery obstruction caused sinus node dysfunction 3 years post-heart transplant. Pacemaker implantation resolved dizzy spells and syncope, improving the patient's condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) can lead to cardiac complications.
- Sinus node dysfunction (SND) is a potential complication following OHT.
- The sinus node artery is crucial for the heart's electrical activity.
Observation:
- A patient developed SND three years after OHT.
- Symptoms included recurrent dizzy spells, presyncope, and syncope.
- An acute myocardial infarction coincided with recurrent syncope.
Findings:
- Coronary angiography revealed severe, diffuse narrowing of the sinus node artery.
- No significant collateral vessels were observed supplying the sinus node artery.
- The sinus node artery showed minimal distal disease only three months prior.
Implications:
- Severe sinus node artery obstruction can occur late after OHT.
- Prompt diagnosis and intervention are critical for managing SND post-transplant.
- Pacemaker implantation effectively treats SND secondary to sinus node artery compromise.