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Systemic Diseases and Heart Block

Syed Rafay A Sabzwari1, Wendy S Tzou2

  • 1University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12631 East 17th Avenue, Mail Stop B130, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

Cardiology Clinics
|June 15, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Younger patients with heart block require evaluation for systemic diseases like cardiac amyloidosis or rheumatologic conditions. Early diagnosis of these underlying causes is crucial for effective treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Systemic diseases can affect the myocardium and cardiac conduction system.
  • Heart block in younger individuals (<60 years) warrants investigation for underlying systemic causes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review systemic diseases that can lead to heart block.
  • To categorize these systemic disorders and their mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of systemic diseases causing heart block.
  • Classification of disorders into infiltrative, rheumatologic, endocrine, and neuromuscular categories.

Main Results:

  • Infiltrative diseases (cardiac amyloidosis, sarcoidosis) can infiltrate the conduction system.
  • Rheumatologic disorders (atherosclerosis, vasculitis, myocarditis) contribute to heart block.
  • Hereditary neuromuscular diseases (muscular dystrophies) can involve the myocardium and cause heart block.

Conclusions:

  • Systemic diseases are a significant cause of heart block, particularly in younger patients.
  • Identifying the specific systemic disease is essential for appropriate management of heart block.

Keywords:
AmyloidosisAtrioventricular nodeHeart blockMuscular dystrophiesRheumatologic disordersSarcoidosisSystemic lupus erythematosusThyroid disorders

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