Reversible second degree atrioventricular block after a severe sickle cell crisis.
Despite the high prevalence of sickle cell disease and trait in the black population and its serious potential for microinfarction, there are only a few reports on acute myocardial damage during vasoocclusive crisis. We report a unique case of transient second degree atrioventricular (A-V) block of Mobitz I and II type during a severe sickle cell crisis. Localized high ventricular septum hypoperfusion demonstrated by a 99mTc-MIBI radionuclide study and reversible echocardiographic wall motion abnormalities in the same area were strong indicators for a local ischemic event in the A-V node and His bundle area, explaining the observed transient conduction abnormalities. The present report draws attention to a potentially lethal complication of sickle cell crisis.
Jaeggi
E
E
Department of Pediatrics, Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland.
Bolens
M
M
Friedli
B
B
D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media; D006327:Heart Block / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait / Q000150:complications*; D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi
D003287:Contrast Media; D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi