Cardiac Conduction Disturbances, an Underestimated Manifestation in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Cardiac conduction disturbances were found in 22 (33%) of 68 patients during the course of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) of more than 25 years' duration. Complete heart block occurred in six patients, four of whom received a permanent pacemaker and one made a complete recovery. The high prevalence of conduction disturbances in AS in this report, exceeding what has previously been reported, is partly explained by the finding of intermittently occurring atrioventricular blocks.