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Published on: May 21, 2017
Syncope due to paroxysmal complete atrioventricular block in a patient with aortic valve stenosis
Yasuhito Sekimoto1, Yuji Nishizaki, Masahiro Sesoko
1Department of Cardiology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo Tokyo Koto Geriatric Medical Center, Japan.
Insights
Severe aortic valve calcification can spread to the heart
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is a common valvular heart disease.
- Syncope is a concerning symptom in patients with AS.
- Cardiac conduction abnormalities can occur in AS.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old male presented with recurrent syncope.
- Electrocardiogram revealed complete atrioventricular block (CAVB).
- The patient had moderate aortic stenosis with a severely calcified aortic valve.
Findings:
- Severe aortic valve calcification extended into the cardiac conduction system.
- This calcification was the likely cause of the complete atrioventricular block (CAVB).
- CAVB, though not a primary symptom of AS, can manifest as syncope in these patients.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential, albeit uncommon, mechanism linking aortic valve calcification to cardiac conduction abnormalities.
- Clinicians should consider CAVB in the differential diagnosis of syncope for patients with severe aortic stenosis and valve calcification.
- Understanding this association may improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management in valvular heart disease.
Abstract:
A 66-year-old man was admitted due to repeated syncope, and the electrocardiogram showed complete atrioventricular block (CAVB). He had moderate aortic valve stenosis (AS) with a severely calcified valve. This case indicates that if calcification spreads into the cardiac conduction system, it may cause CAVB. Although CAVB is not typically considered a main cause of syncope in AS patients, it should nevertheless be considered in the differential diagnosis.
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