Skip to main content

Adams-Stokes attack as the first symptom of acute rheumatic fever: report of an adolescent case and review of the literature

Abstract

Background

Acquired complete heart block, in pediatric age is mainly the results of direct injury to conduction tissue during cardiac surgery or cardiac catheterisation. It can also be observed in different clinical settings as infectious diseases, neoplasia, and inflammatory diseases. It has a wide range of presentation and in some settings it can appear a dramatic event. Although a rare finding during acute rheumatic fever, with a transient course, it may need a specific and intensive treatment.

Case presentation

We report the case of an Adams-Stokes attack in an adolescent with acute rheumatic carditis and complete atrio-ventricular block. The attack was the first symptom of carditis.

We reviewed the literature and could find 25 cases of complete atrio-ventricular block due to rheumatic fever. Ten of the 25 patients experienced an Adams-Stokes attack. Nineteen of the 25 patients were certainly in the pediatric age group. Seven of the 19 pediatric cases experienced an Adams-Stokes attack. In 16/25 cases, the duration of the atrio-ventricular block was reported: it lasted from a few minutes to ten days. Pacemaker implantation was necessary in 7 cases.

Conclusion

Rheumatic fever must be kept in mind in the diagnostic work-up of patients with acquired complete atrio-ventricular block, particularly when it occurs in pediatric patients. The insertion of a temporary pacemaker should be considered when complete atrio-ventricular block determines Adams-Stokes attacks. Complete heart block during acute rheumatic fever is rare and is usually transient. Along with endocarditis, myocarditis and pericarditis, complete atrio-ventricular block has been recognized, rarely, during the course of acute rheumatic carditis.

Background

Acquired complete heart block, in paediatric age is mainly the results of direct injury to conduction tissue during cardaic surgery or cardiac catheterisation. It can also be observed in different clinical settings as infectious diseases, neoplasia, and inflammatory diseases. It has a wide range of presentation and in some settings it can appear a dramatic event. Although a rare finding during acute rheumatic fever, with a transient course, it may need a specific and intensive treatment. We report a case of complete atrio-ventricular (AV) block in whom an Adams-Stokes attack was the first symptom of acute rheumatic carditis. We also reviewed the literature on complete atrio-ventricular block in acute rheumatic fever.

Case report

A 14-year-old Italian boy, weight 50 kg, was admitted to the emergency room of our Paediatric Department for syncope which occurred at home after he got out of bed. He had complained of transient thoracic pain the day before. On admission, the patient appeared extremely pale. Severe bradycardia (30 beats/minute) was found, blood pressure was 115/65 mmHg, respiratory rate 24/minute and transcutaneous oxygen saturation was 98%. A grade 2/6 systolic murmur was audible at the apex. The remaining physical examination was unremarkable.

The ECG showed a complete AV block with narrow QRS and a ventricular rate of 30 beats/minute (Figure 1). A 5.52 second period of asystole was recorded as well (Figure 2). Transthoracic echocardiography revealed mild mitral regurgitation, no cardiac chamber enlargement (left ventricle end-diastolic diameter was 47 mm) and normal contractility (ejection fraction 67%, shortening fraction 37%); a temporary pacemaker was implanted via the right femoral vein. In the suspicion of an inflammatory etiology, intravenous methyl-prednisolone (20 mg b.i.d) was started.

Figure 1
figure 1

Electrocardiogram showing complete A-V block with a ventricular rate of 30 bpm.

Figure 2
figure 2

Electrocardiogram showing paroxysmal AV block and a 5.52 second period of asystolia.

History pointed out a febrile pharyngitis occurred about one month before. At that moment, a rapid antigen detection test was positive for β-haemolytic group A Streptococcus. Amoxicillin plus clavulanate, 1 gram b.i.d, had been prescribed for ten days.

Laboratory investigations revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis (WBC 17.750/mm3, N 82%), elevation of ESR and CRP (72 mm/hr and 136 mg/L, respectively), elevated streptococcal antibodies (ASO titre 3.220 U/mL, streptozyme test positive 1/5000, anti-streptokinase antibodies positive 1/2560). The throat culture for β-haemolytic group A Streptococcus was negative. Myocardial necrosis indices and Borrelia Burgdorferi antibodies also were negative.

After 24 hours, the patient recovered sinus rhythm (HR = 80 beats/minute) with first degree AV block (PR duration 250 milliseconds). A second echocardiography confirmed the mild mitral regurgitation, but also showed a slight thickening of the aortic leaflets with trivial aortic regurgitation. The temporary pacemaker was removed and the anti-inflammatory treatment was continued with oral prednisone 25 mg b.i.d. for two weeks. When the normalisation of the inflammatory indices was achieved, steroid treatment was progressively tapered and acetylsalicylic acid 750 mg q.i.d. was started and continued for four weeks. ECG performed on fourth day after admission showed a normal sinus rhythm with a normal PR interval duration. Forty days after the first examination, echocardiography showed complete resolution of both mitral and aortic regurgitation; the Holter ECG showed a sinus rhythm with normal AV conduction.

The final diagnosis was Adams-Stokes attack due to complete AV block in the course of acute rheumatic carditis.

Discussion

The most common cause of acquired complete AV block in the paediatric age group is direct injury to conduction tissue during cardiac surgery or cardiac catheterisation. In addition, complete atrio-ventricular block can be observed in infectious diseases as viral myocarditis, diphtheria, Lyme disease, in inflammatory illnesses such as acute rheumatic fever, metabolic diseases as Kearns-Sayre syndrome, drug toxicity (digoxin, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers), Chagas disease, tuberous sclerosis, intra-cardiac tumours, ischemia during coronary events or after mediastinal radiation.

The most common AV conduction abnormality found during acute rheumatic fever is first degree AV block, which was recognised in 72.5% of the Clarke’s series and in 72.3% of Zalzstein’s series (1, 2). Second degree AV block of Mobitz type I is much less frequent (2.6% in Clarke’s and 1.5% in Zalzstein’s series). Complete AV block was diagnosed in 0.6% of the Clarke’s and in 4.6% of Zalzstein’s series. Other types of rhythm abnormalities recognised during acute rheumatic fever include sinus node dysfunction, junctional rhythm and junctional tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, torsade de pointes due to QT interval prolongation and complete left bundle branch block.

In Clarke’s series, only one of the three patients with complete AV block presented with an Adams-Stokes attack (1). All three patients with complete AV block of Zalzstein’s series were asymptomatic (2).

In our case, the Adams-Stokes attack was the first symptom of acute rheumatic fever. This occurred because of the high degree of complete AV block, with periods of asystole longer than five seconds.

We examined the literature in order to collect other cases of complete AV block due to rheumatic fever. We looked through PubMed’s MeSH vocabulary by inserting “rheumatic fever”, “atrio-ventricular block”, and “Adams-Stokes attack”.

We were able to find 19 full-text papers in which 25 cases of complete AV block due to rheumatic fever were reported [119]. Ten of the 25 patients experienced an Adams-Stokes attack [1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 1115] (Table 1).

Table 1 Cases of complete atrio-ventricular block in acute rheumatic fever collected from the literature

Nineteen of the 25 patients with complete AV block were certainly in the paediatric age group [1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 19]. Seven of the 19 experienced an Adams-Stokes attack [1, 5, 6, 9, 12, 15].

In 16 out of 25 cases, the duration of the AV block was reported: it lasted from a few minutes to ten days [1, 2, 48, 10, 15]; in one case, an ECG three months later showed persistence of the complete block [7]. Pacemaker implantation was necessary in seven cases.

Conclusions

Complete heart block during acute rheumatic fever is rare. Despite it can appear as a dramatic event, it is usually transient, resolving in few days after initiating anti-inflammatory treatment. Specific treatment, such as insertion of a temporary pacemaker, should be considered only when complete AV block leads to an Adams-Stokes attack. In our patient, the Adams-Stokes attack was the first symptom of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever must be kept in mind in the diagnostic work-up of patients with acquired complete AV block, particularly when it occurs in paediatric patients.

Written informed consent has been obtained from the parents of the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images.

Abbreviations

ASO:

Antibodies to streptolysin O

AV:

Atrio – ventricular

CRP:

C-reactive proteine

ECG:

Electrocardigraphy

ESR:

Erytrocyte sedimentation rate

WBC:

White blood cells.

References

  1. Clarke M, Keith JD: Atrioventricular conduction in acute rheumatic fever. Br Heart Journal. 1972, 34: 472-479. 10.1136/hrt.34.5.472.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Zalzstein E, Maor R, Zucker N, Katz A: Advanced atrioventricular conduction block in acute rheumatic fever. Cardiol Young. 2003, 13 (6): 491-494.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Arcuri F, Rossi S: Intermittent complete atrioventricular block with Morgagni-Adam-Stokes type syncopal attacks, in a rheumatic carditis patient. Cortisone therapy. Minerva Cardioangiol. 1959, 7: 690-694.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Barold SS, Sischy D, Punzi J, Kaplan EL, Chessin L: Advanced atrioventricular block in a 39-year-old man with acute rheumatic fever. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1998, 21 (11 Pt 1): 2025-2028.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Baracchi G: On 2 cases of complete atrioventricular block (acute and reversibile) caused by rheumatic myocarditis. Minerva Med. 1963, 54: 2952-2960.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Duran NE, Sonmez K, Biteker M, Ozkan M: A case of acute rheumatic fever presenting with syncope due to complete atrioventricular block. Andalou Kardiyol Derg. 2009, 9: 66-73.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Guven H, Ozhan B, Bakiler AR, Salar K, Kozan M, Bilgin S: A case of Henoch-Schonlein purpura and rheumatic carditis with complete atrioventricular block. Eur J Pediatr. 2006, 165: 395-397. 10.1007/s00431-006-0094-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Yoo GH: Complete atrioventricular block in an adolescent with rheumatic fever. Korean Circ J. 2009, 39 (3): 121-123. 10.4070/kcj.2009.39.3.121.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Lenox CC, Zuberbuhler JR, Park SC, Neches WH, Mathews RA, Zoltun R: Arrhythmias and Stokes-Adams attacks in acute rheumatic fever. Pediatrics. 1978, 61 (4): 599-603.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Malik JA, Hassan C, Khan GQ: Transient complete heart block complicating acute rheumatic fever. Indian Heart J. 2002, 54 (1): 91-92.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Mohindra R, Pannu HS, Mohan B, Kumar N, Dhooria HS, Sehgal A, Avasthi G: Syncope in a middle aged male due to acute rheumatic fever. Indian Heart J. 2004, 56 (6): 668-669.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Poberezovskii KA, Lu LI: Partial atrioventricular block of the 3rd degree accompanied by Morgagni-Adam-Stokes syndrome in a child with a 1st rheumatic attack. Pediatrica. 1971, 50 (7): 80-82.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Rojas M, Papouin G, Hadrami J, Kamblock J, Lionet P, Victor J: Adam-Stokes syncope disclosing a crisis of rheumatic fever. Apropos of a case. Ann Cardiol Angiol (Paris). 1997, 46 (9): 592-594.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Tampieri E, Berdondini RM, Leonardi G, Mantovani R: Complete atrioventricular block caused by rheumatic myocarditis and complicated by a Morgagni-Adam-Stokes attack in an adult hyperthyroid patient. Discussion of a clinical case and review of the literature. Minerva Cardioangiol. 1984, 32 (6): 421-426.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Thomas DB: Complete heart block complicating rheumatic carditis. Austr Paediatr. 1971, 7: 108-110.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Filberbaum MB, Griffith GC, Solley RF: Electrocardiographic abnormalities in 6000 cases of rheumatic fever. California and Western Medicine. 1946, 64 (6): 340-346.

    PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Montano A, Esposito M: Complete atrioventricular block and acute abdominal pain: initial symptoms in a case of rheumatic fever. Minerva Cardioangiol. 1990, 38 (3): 101-103.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Shah CK, Gupta R: Persistent complete heart block following acute rheumatic fever in a 12 year old girl. J Assoc Physic India. 1993, 41: 389-390.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Stocker FP, Czoniczer G, Massell BF, Nadas AS: Transient complete AV block in two siblings during acute rheumatic carditis in childhood. Pediatrics. 1970, 45: 850-856.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicola Carano.

Additional information

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Authors’ contributions

NC: Data analysis, data interpretation and writing. IB: Literature search and writing. BT: Literature search, figures. EV: Data collection. SF: Data collection. AA: Writing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Authors’ original submitted files for images

Below are the links to the authors’ original submitted files for images.

Authors’ original file for figure 1

Authors’ original file for figure 2

Rights and permissions

This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Carano, N., Bo, I., Tchana, B. et al. Adams-Stokes attack as the first symptom of acute rheumatic fever: report of an adolescent case and review of the literature. Ital J Pediatr 38, 61 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1186/1824-7288-38-61

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1824-7288-38-61

Keywords