First-degree atrioventricular block: A rare manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Cardiac involvement is very common in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and some 30%-50% of patients suffer from some form of heart disease. Conduction defects represent a rare manifestation of SLE cardiac involvement in adults. We reported a rare case of first-degree atrioventricular block associated with SLE in a 15-year-old female. The patient was diagnosed with SLE, fulfilling the 1982 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, with malar rash, pericarditis, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia and the presence of anti-DNA antibodies with positive ANA. The first-degree atrioventricular block was attributed to SLE and completely resolved within 3 days of corticosteroid therapy.