Complete heart block in meningococcemia

Ann Emerg Med. 1983 Jun;12(6):391-3. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(83)80473-9.

Abstract

A 41-year-old man died of meningococcemia after presenting with skin rash, fever, and bradycardia. Electrocardiograms demonstrated intermittent complete heart block, and necropsy showed myocarditis with focal necrosis of the conduction system. This syndrome should be recognized as typical for meningococcemia, and all patients with meningococcal disease should be observed carefully for the development of bradycardia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Autopsy
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Fever / etiology
  • Heart Block / etiology*
  • Heart Block / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pacemaker, Artificial
  • Sepsis / complications*
  • Skin Manifestations
  • Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome / complications*