Europace Advance Access published online on February 4, 2009
Europace, doi:10.1093/europace/eup010
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SHORT COMMUNICATION
Increased stimulation threshold in a patient with autoimmune disease: successful management with oral prednisolone and azathioprine
Ospedale degli Infermi Strada Rivalta 29, 10098 Rivoli (TO), Italy
We report a patient with a systemic vasculitis and heart involvement with complete atrio-ventricular block. After pacemaker implantation, the stimulation threshold significantly increased resulting in exit block. Two adjunctive ventricular leads were implanted with temporary threshold improvement. Oral glucocorticoids decreased the stimulation threshold with a transient, dose-dependent efficacy but with remarkable side effects. Azathioprine, an immunosuppressive agent, obtained a sustained decrease of the stimulation threshold.
* Corresponding author. Tel: +39 011 9551426, Fax: +39 011 9551431, Email: annaferraro{at}tiscali.it
Manuscript submitted 3 October 2008. Accepted after revision 12 January 2009.