Anti-Ro autoantibody is associated with Sjogren's syndrome (SS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and neonatal lupus syndrome (i.e., congenital complete heart block in newborns). Generally, the adult atrioventricular (AV) node is believed to be relatively resistant to the scarring effects of anti-Ro/anti-La autoantibodies. However, there have been some reports of adult complete AV block in SS and SLE patients. Here, we report a case of complete heart block in primary SS with anti-Ro autoantibodies, with no other risk factor for the development of heart block, and review their etiological association.
Antibodies, Antinuclear/*blood ; Atrioventricular Block/diagnosis/*immunology/therapy ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; Electrocardiography ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Risk Factors ; Sjogren's Syndrome/complications/*immunology ; Treatment Outcome