Abstract

DIAZ D, Alejandro; SERRANO G, Ana; GUZMAN B, Mónica  and  RUZ M, Miguel. Congenital complete atrioventricular block: eport of one case and literature review. Rev. Col. Cardiol. [online]. 2008, vol.15, n.1, pp.35-42. ISSN 0120-5633.

Complete congenital atrioventricular block is a rare entity that has a high morbidity and mortality. Its real incidence remains unknown and a high suspicion index is needed for its diagnosis and consequently for its early intervention. It is observed in children of mothers having connective tissue autoimmune diseases, in particular systemic lupus erythematosus, when the condition is congenital. If it is post-natal, congenital cardiopathies are responsible in most cases. It may also appear in structurally normal hearts. The characteristic clinical finding is persistent bradycardia manifested since intrauterine life and affecting the circulatory fetal stability, going as far as to produce hydrops fetalis, a serious and lethal condition. After birth, it appears with bradycardia as well, that may or not unbalance the patient hemodynamics. Diagnosis is made upon clinical suspicion with fetal echocardiography and when post-natal, through electrocardiogram and maternal antibody type antiRo and antiLa. Pacemaker implantation is the definitive treatment that contributes to improve patient survival and prognosis. We present the case of a premature female patient with 31 weeks of gestation due to non-immune hydrops in who complete atrioventricular block secondary to maternal lupus erythematosus confirmed by frankly positive anti-nuclear antibodies and positive antiRo and antiLa antibodies was diagnosed, and that received inotropic support after pace maker implantation. She improved completely from her heart failure and was sent to other institution for conventional management of prematures.

Keywords : congenital complete atrioventricular block; neonatal lupus syndrome; preterm; pace maker.

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