Radiotherapy as a cause of complete atrioventricular block in Hodgkin's disease. An electrophysiological-pathological correlation
A 20-year-old man contracted Hodgkin's disease and was treated with mantle radiotherapy. Heart block developed 11 years later. Electrocardiograms revealed predominant atrioventricular (AV) block and occasional AV conduction. Intracardiac electrograms demonstrated that the site of AV block was above the level of the His bundle. A permanent transvenous pacemaker was implanted. Seven months later the patient died of complications from cryptococcal meningitis. Pathological study of the heart revealed marked arteriosclerosis with fibrosis of the epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium. Examination of the conduction system revealed extensive arteriolosclerosis of the sinoatrial node and its approaches. In addition, there was marked fibrosis of the approaches to the AV node, the AV bundle, and both bundle branches. There was no evidence of Hodgkin's disease. This case documents the rare occurrence of AV block due to tissue destruction by radiotherapy. There was a good correlation between block proximal to the His bundle recording site and fibrosis of the approaches to the AV node.
- OSTI ID:
- 5513801
- Journal Information:
- Arch. Intern. Med.; (United States), Vol. 141:5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Complete atrioventricular block following mediastinal irradiation: A report of six cases
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrioventricular junction from the left ventricle
Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS
RADIOINDUCTION
HEART
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CARDIAC PACEMAKERS
DEATH
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS
FIBROSIS
HODGKINS DISEASE
MYOCARDIUM
PATHOLOGY
PATIENTS
PHYSIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
SURGERY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CURRENTS
DIAGRAMS
DISEASES
LYMPHOMAS
MEDICINE
MUSCLES
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
THERAPY
VASCULAR DISEASES
550603* - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)
560151 - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man
551000 - Physiological Systems
550900 - Pathology