Limited Wegener’s granulomatosis—is it limited?

Abstract

Complete heart block associated with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is rare especially in the limited form of the disease. We describe a case of a 43-year-old woman with a limited form of WG who developed a complete heart block. Prompt treatment with steroids and cyclophosphamide led to temporary regression of complete heart block. Further involvement of lung was treated successfully by tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor infliximab. Cardiac rhythm abnormalities should always be kept in mind both in diagnosis and follow-up of WG.

Limited Wegener's granulomatosis presenting as lung nodules in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report

“…Although she has limited WG, there are reports of ominous complications such as the development of complete heart block [ 9 ] and hence she will be closely monitored for those as well as for progression to the more severe form involving the kidneys.…”

Wegener's granulomatosis: managing more than inflammation

“…Multiple case reports have noted a relationship between Wegener's granulomatosis and the development of cardiomyopathy, conduction abnormalities, and valvular disease [26][27][28][29], but the strength of this association has been difficult to quantitate. Oliveira et al [30] performed a retrospective analysis of 85 consecutive patients evaluated at the Mayo Clinic Rochester from 1976 to 1997 for whom echocardiographic data were available.…”