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[Second degree atrioventricular block in mixed connective tissue disease]
U Vinsonneau1, A Delluc, C Bergez
1Service de cardiologie, hôpital d'instruction des armées Clermont-Tonnerre, 29240 Brest Armées, France. ulric.vinsonneau@wanadoo.fr
La Revue De Medecine Interne
|June 1, 2005
Summary
Cardiac complications are rare in mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). This case highlights a Wenckebach heart block in an MCTD patient, successfully treated with corticosteroids, suggesting an inflammatory basis.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) presents with overlapping features of systemic sclerosis, dermatomyositis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
- High titers of anti-extractable nuclear antigen ribonucleoprotein (anti-RNP) antibodies are characteristic of MCTD.
- Cardiac involvement is an uncommon manifestation in MCTD.
Observation:
- A 58-year-old male presented with fever, malaise, myalgia, and Raynaud's phenomenon.
- Laboratory findings included an inflammatory syndrome, elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and high anti-RNP antibody levels.
- The patient was diagnosed with MCTD and subsequently developed a Wenckebach atrioventricular block.
Findings:
- Wenckebach atrioventricular block, a rare cardiac manifestation, occurred in this MCTD patient.
- Systemic corticosteroid therapy proved effective in managing the cardiac complication.
- This case adds to the limited reported instances of heart block in MCTD.
Implications:
- Heart block in MCTD may represent a systemic inflammatory complication.
- Corticosteroid treatment appears beneficial for managing cardiac blocks in MCTD.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathophysiology and prevalence of cardiac involvement in MCTD.