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Published on: July 12, 2011
Sick Sinus Syndrome and Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Connection or Coincidence? A Case Report and Literature Review
Alawi A Al-Attas1, Njood A Alhrkan1, Muteb A Alwatid1
1Department of Neurology, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) can cause sick sinus syndrome (SSS). This case report links cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) to SSS, suggesting elevated ICP from CVT as the cause.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is typically linked to sinoatrial node degeneration.
- Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is hypothesized to affect cardiac vagal discharge, potentially causing SSS.
- Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) can lead to elevated ICP.
Abstract:
It has been hypothesized that increased intracranial pressure (ICP) may cause sick sinus syndrome (SSS) due to its effect on vagal discharge to the heart, resulting in disruption to the sinus cycle, despite age-related degeneration of the sinoatrial node being the most common intrinsic factor leading to sinus node dysfunction. In this case report, a 47-year-old man with unknown medical conditions presented to the emergency department at King Saud Medical City with a four-day history of headache, confusion, and chest pain. He also reported dizziness and lightheaded. Extensive cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) and SSS were identified. We investigated the SSS etiology and its relation to CVT, concluding that SSS was caused by elevated ICP secondary to CVT.
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