Noninflammatory degeneration of the artery to the sino-atrial node may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias in progressive muscular dystrophy.
This paper describes the case of a young man with progressive muscular dystrophy who had supraventricular arrhythmias and intractable congestive failure. Hemodynamic studies and left cineventriculographic findings were compatible with a diagnosis of severe left ventricular failure. Coronary cinearteriography showed an abrupt ending of the artery to the sino-atrial node. At necropsy, a noninflammatory degeneration was found in this particular vessel. The pathogenesis of the cardiac arrhythmias seen in this condition is discussed in the light of these cineangiographic and histopathologic observations.
Demany et al. (Mon,) studied this question.