Exercise-Related Atrioventricular Block: Influence of Myocardial Ischemia

Neil L. Coplan, M.D.; Monty C. Morales, M.D.; Paul Romanello, M.D.; James R. Wilentz, M. D.; and Jeffrey W Moses, M.D.

From the Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York.

A 62-year-old woman was noted to have complete heart block immediately following an exercise stress test. Coronary arteriography subsequently revealed a significant lesion in the right coronary artery, which was successfully dilated. Thallium-exercise testing following angioplasty showed no evidence of inducible ischemia and no arrhythmia was seen, supporting the idea that exercise-related heart block may occur secondary to myocardial ischemia.

Chest 1991; 100:1728-30