The complete heart-block--an extraintestinal manifestation of ulcerative colitis.

Complications of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are commonly mentioned with regards to joints, liver, bile ducts, eyes and skin. But rarely we find case reports or gastroenterology textbook descriptions of corresponding disorders of the myocardium. These complications can be of utmost importance in practical medicine. The following case presents a patient whose life was threatened by a complete heart-block while suffering from a concomitant disorder of ulcerative colitis. The complete heart-block most likely occurs as a result of the colitis. This patient probably would not have survived without the intervention of a permanent pacemaker.