Korean Circ J.  1994 Oct;24(5):717-721. 10.4070/kcj.1994.24.5.717.

A Case of Paroxysmal Atrioventricular Block Complicating Takayasu's Arteritis

• Choi JY
• Kim HY
• Rho TH
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2229318
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.1994.24.5.717

Abstract

Takayasu's arteritis is briefly as an inflammatory process of unknown etiology occuring dominantly in young female most commonly involving the great vessels arising from the aortic arch. The disease process results in stenosis and obliteration of involved vessels. Syncope in Takayasu's arteritis is known to result from decreased blood flow to brain because of stenosing blood vessels. We herein describe a case of paroxysmal atrioventricular block in a 40-year old man with Takayasu's arteritis. The patient presented with spontaneous recurrent syncope associated with paroxysmal AV block. Carotid sinus pressure repeatedly induced paroxysmal AV block and syncope. Carotid sinus pressure after pretreatment of atropine failed to induce AV block or syncope. Coronary angiogram was normal. We concluded that syncope in this patients was attributed to carotid hypersensitivity rather than decreased blood flow to the brain due to vessel stenosis.

Keyword

Takayasu's arteritis; Paroxysmal AV block; Carotid sinus hypersensitivity

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aorta, Thoracic
Atrioventricular Block*
Atropine
Blood Vessels
Brain
Carotid Sinus
Constriction, Pathologic
Female
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Syncope
Takayasu Arteritis*
Atropine