Recovery from complete atrioventricular block caused by idiopathic giant cell myocarditis after corticosteroid therapy.

Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is a rapidly progressive disease that leads to ventricular tachycardia or high-grade atrioventricular (A-V) block, frequently requiring a pacemaker. A 64-year-old woman developed syncope as a result of idiopathic GCM with A-V block. She required both a temporary and a permanent pacemaker. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed severely reduced wall motion. There was no histologic or clinical evidence to suggest sarcoidosis. Despite treatment with diuretics and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, exertional dyspnea persisted. She received prednisolone 4 months after the onset of complete A-V block in the late phase of GCM. Prednisolone improved A-V nodal conduction in spite of the fact that there was no influence from LV wall motion, and sinus rhythm has continued for more than 2 years. In this patient, prednisolone was effective in the treatment of GCM.