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The complete heart-block--an extraintestinal manifestation of ulcerative colitis
1Innere Abteilung des Kreiskrankenhauses Eutin, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Medizinischen Universität Lübeck.
Insights
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can affect the heart. This case highlights a life-threatening complete heart-block in a patient with ulcerative colitis, requiring a pacemaker for survival.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis, are known for extraintestinal manifestations affecting various organs.
- Myocardial complications, specifically cardiac conduction disorders, are rarely reported in association with IBD.
- These cardiac issues can pose significant clinical challenges and impact patient prognosis.
Abstract:
Complications of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are commonly mentioned with regards to joints, liver, bile ducts, eyes and skin. But rarely we find case reports or gastroenterology textbook descriptions of corresponding disorders of the myocardium. These complications can be of utmost importance in practical medicine. The following case presents a patient whose life was threatened by a complete heart-block while suffering from a concomitant disorder of ulcerative colitis. The complete heart-block most likely occurs as a result of the colitis. This patient probably would not have survived without the intervention of a permanent pacemaker.