title: Corticosteroid treatment normalizes QTc prolongation and improves heart block in an elderly patient with anti-Ro-positive systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic disease which potentially involves various organs including the skin, joints, kidneys, liver, hematopoetic system, and serous membranes. It is rarely seen in elderly males. The most common cardiovascular involvement type is pericarditis. Anti-Ro antibodies may be associated with neonatal lupus which causes heart blocks. Recent literature indicates that anti-Ro antibodies may be associated with various rhythm and conduction disturbances in the adulthood. The most common finding associated with anti-Ro antibodies is prolonged corrected QT (QTc) interval. Herein, we present an elderly male patient with anti-Ro-positive SLE associated with prolonged QTc interval and AV blocks that significantly improved after corticosteroid treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Maksat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saribayev
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tufan
authors.forename: Fahrettin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oz
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Erer
authors.forename: Tahsin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ozpolat
authors.forename: Gulistan Bahat
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akin
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saka
authors.forename: Nilgun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Erten
authors.forename: Cemil
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tascioglu
authors.forename: Akif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karan
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006327:Heart Block / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C035356:SS-A antibodies