Corticosteroids in the management of sinoatrial block.
This report presented our experience in the treatment of sinoatrial (S-A) conduction disturbances with corticosteroids. Three patients with intermittent second-degree S-A block who failed to respond to atropine and isoproterenol were treated with prednisone for 6-17 weeks. Sustained improvement in S-A conduction following prednisone administration was confirmed by repeated Holter monitoring on and off therapy. Two patients eventually regained permanent sinus rhythm, while therapy led to marked diminution in S-A block in the 3rd patient. The possible mechanisms by which steroids may improve S-A conduction are discussed. Our observation is based on a small case series, each patient serving as his own control, and as such constitutes an indication for further confirmatory studies.
Abinader
E G
EG
Heart Institute, Haifa Medical Center (Rothschild), Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel.
Oliven
A
A
Kogan
A
A
D001285:Atropine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012848:Sinoatrial Block / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D001285:Atropine; D007545:Isoproterenol; D011241:Prednisone