title: [Complete atrioventricular block and acute abdominal pain: initial symptoms in a case of rheumatic fever].
abstract: Delayed atrioventricular conduction, as reflected in prolongation of the P-R interval, is commonly found and is a non specific finding in acute rheumatic fever (minor manifestation). Prolongation of atrioventricular conduction may lead to second-degree A-V block, while a complete heart block is a rare event with or without Stokes-Adams attacks. In these cases temporary pace-maker may be usefully employed. Another uncommon symptom of acute rheumatic fever is abdominal pain, which occurs in fewer than 5% of patients, and is usually vague and not acute. An unusual case of onset of rheumatic fever characterized by acute complete heart block and acute abdominal pain simulating appendicitis is reported.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Cardiologia, Ospedale S. Timoteo, Termoli, Campobasso.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esposito
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
vernacular_title: Blocco A-V totale e dolore addominale acuto. Sintomi di esordio in un caso di febbre reumatica.