Iris Publishers-World Journal of Gynecology & Womens Health| Congenital Heart Block in Lupus Erythematosus Syndrome

Authored by Maria Caterina Corigliano

Congenital heart block is often associated with maternal anti Ro/SS-A and anti La/SSB antibodies that cross the placenta and damage the fetal AV node [1]. It occurs during the second trimester of gestation in asymptomatic women

In 2018 a 30-year-old, second gravida, was referred to the Department of Obstetrics, Ospedale San Giovanni Calibita, Fatebenefratelli, tertiary care Centre of Rome, for fetal AV block at 35 weeks of gestation.

Autoimmune screening was performed and it revealed positivity to anti La/SS-A, anti-ANA, anti-RNP, anti-SM. She was not assuming corticosteroids.

Previous ultrasounds revealed at the first trimester screening an increased Nuchal Translucency and in the second trimester a IIdegree AV block. The obstetric ultrasound and echocardiography detected a structurally normal heart with a third-degree complete AV block with a complete dissociation between atrial and ventricular contractions (regular atrial rate of 130 bpm and a persistent ventricular rate of 55 bpm) (Figure 1, Video 1 and Video 2).

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