Review
Anti-SSA/Ro antibodies and the heart: more than complete congenital heart block? A review of electrocardiographic and myocardial abnormalities and of treatment options
1 Service de Médecine Interne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
2 Service de Cardiologie Pédiatrique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
3 Service de Cardiologie Pédiatrique, Institut Jacques Cartier, Avenue du Noyer Lambert, Massy, France
Arthritis Res Ther 2005, 7:69-73 doi:10.1186/ar1690
Published: 25 January 2005Abstract
Apart from complete and incomplete congenital heart block (CHB), new cardiac manifestations related to anti-SSA/Ro antibodies have been reported in children born to mothers bearing these antibodies. These manifestations include transient fetal first-degree heart block, prolongation of corrected QT (QTc) interval, sinus bradycardia, late-onset cardiomyopathy, endocardial fibroelastosis and cardiac malformations. Anti-SSA/Ro antibodies are not considered pathogenic to the adult heart, but a prolongation of the QTc interval has recently been reported in adult patients and is still a matter of debate. Treatment of CHB is not well established and needs to be assessed carefully. The risks and benefits of prenatal fluorinated steroids are discussed.
