Anatomy of congenital complete heart block and relation to maternal anti-Ro antibodies.
The anatomy of the conduction system was studied in 8 patients who had isolated congenital complete heart block. Atrial-axis discontinuity was seen in 7 hearts from children born to mothers with anti-Ro antibodies. The anticipated area of the atrioventricular node was occupied by fibrous and adipose tissue. The heart from the only child whose maternal serum was anti-Ro negative had nodoventricular discontinuity of the conduction system. This difference in anatomy may have etiologic significance.
D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology; D006327:Heart Block / Q000151:congenital* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000473:pathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System