Multiple sclerosis as a cause of atrial fibrillation and electrocardiographic changes
W. S. Schroth, S. M. Tenner, B. A. Rappaport and R. Mani
George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037.
We present the case of a young woman with an acute exacerbation of multiple
sclerosis associated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and
electrocardiographic changes characteristic of central nervous system
effects on cardiac conduction. The patient presented with ataxia, vertigo,
and left facial paresthesia, and was found to have a large demyelinating
lesion involving the left middle and inferior cerebellar peduncles with
extension rostrally into the brain stem. Profound pulmonary edema, out of
proportion with the cardiac abnormalities, also developed. This confirms
that demyelinating disease, like other central nervous system
abnormalities, can lead to alterations in cardiac conduction, and may
induce neurogenic pulmonary edema.
