Intermittent complete heart block presenting as recurrent pulmonary edema

Abstract

A middle-aged female presented with recurrent flash pulmonary edema. On evaluation, the patient had apparently stable 2:1 atrioventricular block and a good left ventricular systolic function. Holter recordings revealed intermittent episodes of complete heart block (CHB) precipitating pulmonary edema. The patient underwent permanent pacemaker implantation with complete resolution of symptoms. Isolated recurrent pulmonary edema in CHB is a rare manifestation and has never been reported before.

Keywords

• Atrioventricular block
• complete heart block
• conduction defects
• recurrent pulmonary edema