Bradycardiomyopathy: the case for a causative relationship between severe sinus bradycardia and heart failure

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2010 Jul;21(7):822-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2009.01704.x. Epub 2010 Feb 1.

Abstract

A 28-year-old man presented with progressive fatigue. Physical examination and ECG revealed severe sinus bradycardia. Echocardiography showed features of noncompaction cardiomyopathy and moderate aortic valve regurgitation. We hypothesized that the chronic volume overload exaggerated by prolonged diastole due to the bradycardia resulted in heart failure and noncompaction cardiomyopathy look-alike features. After implantation of an AAI pacemaker, his symptoms and signs of cardiomyopathy were fully recovered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bradycardia / complications*
  • Bradycardia / diagnosis
  • Bradycardia / physiopathology
  • Bradycardia / therapy
  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial
  • Cardiomyopathies / diagnosis
  • Cardiomyopathies / etiology*
  • Cardiomyopathies / physiopathology
  • Cardiomyopathies / therapy
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac
  • Heart Failure / diagnosis
  • Heart Failure / etiology*
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Heart Failure / therapy
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pacemaker, Artificial
  • Physical Examination
  • Sinoatrial Node / physiopathology*
  • Treatment Outcome