Syncope caused by cough-induced complete atrioventricular block.
Cough syncope is a well-recognized syndrome in which loss of consciousness follows a bout of prolonged coughing. The pathophysiology of this syndrome has been attributed to lowered cerebral perfusion pressure consequent on an increased intrathoracic pressure, which lowers cardiac output (by a Valsalva mechanism) and impairs cerebral venous return. We report a case of cough-induced syncope in which ECG monitoring showed that coughing produced paroxysmal atrioventricular block with ventricular asystole. Such a case has not previously been documented.
D000270:Adie Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D003371:Cough / Q000150:complications*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy