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Complete Heart Block in Systemic Sclerosis with Characterization on Cardiac MRI

Paul Guzik1, Audrey Han1, Samantha C Shapiro1

  • 1UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL, AUSTIN, TEXAS.

Methodist Debakey Cardiovascular Journal
|July 17, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Systemic sclerosis can affect the heart, rarely causing third-degree atrioventricular block. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was used for diagnosis and prognosis in this rare systemic sclerosis case.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis affecting multiple organs, including the heart.
  • Cardiac involvement in SSc significantly increases morbidity and mortality, with potential impact on all cardiac structures.
  • While cardiac manifestations are known, involvement of the conduction system is less common.

Observation:

  • A rare case of SSc presenting with third-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) is described.
  • Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was utilized as a key diagnostic and prognostic tool in this patient.
  • This represents the first reported use of CMR for diagnosing AVB in the context of SSc.

Findings:

  • CMR successfully identified the extent of cardiac involvement and provided prognostic information in a patient with SSc-induced AVB.
  • The study highlights the potential of CMR in evaluating conduction system abnormalities in SSc.

Implications:

  • The findings suggest CMR may aid in earlier diagnosis and risk stratification for cardiac complications in SSc.
  • Further research is needed to determine if CMR-guided management leads to improved patient outcomes or timely transplant referral.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering cardiac involvement, including conduction abnormalities, in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Keywords:
complete heart blockinfiltrative diseasesystemic sclerosis

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