Work

When Should High-Grade Heart Block Trigger a Search for a Treatable Cardiomyopathy?

Year: 2011

Type: editorial

Abstract: H igh-degree heart block is an uncommon manifestation of acute myocarditis in adults.The rate of heart block requiring a pacemaker in biopsy-proven acute lymphocytic myocarditis generally is low but has been reported in up to 8.3% of cases. 1 Important exceptions include cardiac sarcoidosis and giant cell myocarditis (GCM), 2 uncommon and idiopathic disorders for which early immunosuppression may improve clinical outcomes.High-degree heart block occurs in the course of biopsy-proven cardiac sarcoidosis in 23% to 30% of cases (Table ). 2 In GCM, second-or third-degree heart block requiring a pacemaker occurs in 25% of cases.3

Source: Circulation Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology

DOI: 10.1161/circep.111.963249

Authors: Leslie T. Cooper, Lori A. Blauwet

Institution: Mayo Clinic

Language: English

Topic: Viral Infections and Immunology Research

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute