[Association of progressive external ophthalmoplegia and myocardiopathy with complete atrioventricular block. Apropos of a new case].

The authors report the case of a 31 year old man with an occulomotor palsy, who was admitted to hospital with complete atrio-ventricular block and syncopal attacks. The possible pathogenic significance of this association has given rise to differing hypotheses. A review of the literature shows that the occulomotor palsy has been interpreted either as an ophtalmoplegia (of neurogenic origin) because of the associated neurological findings and the histological changes in the occulomotor nuclei, or as an occular myopathy because of the associated muscular disorders and the changes on electromyography and on histology. The relationships between the occulomotor palsy and the cardiac condition are also discussed.