Diagnostic ergometry in an HIV-positive patient with effort dyspnea

Abstract

A case of a 40-year-old patient with known HIV-infection and new onset of exertional dyspnea with dizziness is presented. At the end of an extensive diagnostic investigation, the underlying exercise-induced second degree 3:1 atrioventricular (AV) block was revealed by means of an ergometry/bicycle stress test. After exclusion of reversible causes, a DDD pacemaker was implanted three months after the onset of symptoms. Thereafter, the patient was free from her complaints, but progressed to third degree AV block in the second year of follow-up. Figure 1Resting ECG: Sinus bradycardia 44 bpm, but no ischaemia.