Successful treatment of systemic sclerosis complicated by ventricular tachycardia with a cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUNDSystemic sclerosis is a rare connective tissue disease characterized by localized or diffuse skin thickening and fibrosis, which usually accumulates in various organs throughout the body. Tachyarrhythmia is a common clinical manifestation of cardiovascular damage in systemic sclerosis patients. However, few studies have reported the use of catheter ablation and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in patients with systemic sclerosis complicated by ventricular tachycardia.CASE SUMMARYA 39-year woman with an 11-year history of systemic sclerosis was referred to our hospital due to three syncopal episodes in the past 6 mo. The results of an electrocardiogram and a transthoracic echocardiogram revealed ventricular tachycardia and left ventricular systolic and ventricular septum segmental motion abnormalities, respectively. The results of an electrocardiogram showed a sinus rhythm with complete blockage of the left bundle branch. In light of the progressive nature of systemic sclerosis, the presence of a left bundle branch block, and the decreased ejection fraction, a cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator was implanted. The patient’s clinical conditions improved, and at the 3-mo follow-up, the patient was free of ventricular tachycardia and all cardiac symptoms.CONCLUSIONWe report the first case of systemic sclerosis complicated by ventricular tachycardia that was successfully treated with a cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator.