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Complete heart block in a patient with systemic sclerosis.
I Moyssakis1, D P Papadopoulos, A G Tzioufas
1Department of Cardiology, Laiko Hospital of Athens, 17 Agiou Thomas St. Goudi, 15727, Athens, Greece. jimpapdoc@yahoo.com
Clinical Rheumatology
|November 2, 2005
Summary
Systemic sclerosis can cause severe heart rhythm problems, including complete atrioventricular block. This case highlights the need for cardiac evaluation in scleroderma patients experiencing presyncope, leading to pacemaker implantation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Diffuse systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease affecting connective tissues.
- Cardiac involvement is a significant complication of systemic sclerosis.
- Presyncope can indicate underlying cardiac conduction abnormalities.
Observation:
- A patient with diffuse systemic sclerosis presented with presyncope.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed complete atrioventricular heart block.
- Concomitant left posterior and right bundle branch block were noted.
Findings:
- The ECG findings indicated a high-grade conduction disturbance.
- Complete atrioventricular block necessitates intervention to restore adequate heart rate.
- The patient's symptoms were attributed to the severe bradycardia caused by the heart block.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of recognizing cardiac manifestations in systemic sclerosis.
- Prompt diagnosis and management of heart block are crucial for patient outcomes.
- Pacemaker implantation effectively treated the presyncope and improved the patient's quality of life.