Transient Sinus Node Dysfunction Associated with Herpes Simplex Encephalitis

• Published in: Internal Medicine Vol. 63; no. 15; pp. 2143 - 2147
• Main Authors: Sekii, Ryusuke, Shimizu, Tomoaki, Hibi, Kiyoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine 01.08.2024; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: bradyarrhythmia; Bradycardia; Bradycardia - diagnosis; Bradycardia - etiology; Case Report; Electrocardiography; Encephalitis; Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex - complications; Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex - diagnosis; Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex - diagnostic imaging; epilepsy; Female; Heart diseases; Herpes simplex; herpes simplex encephalitis; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Sick Sinus Syndrome - complications; Sick Sinus Syndrome - diagnosis; Sick Sinus Syndrome - therapy; sinus arrest; Sinus Arrest, Cardiac - diagnosis; Sinus Arrest, Cardiac - etiology; sinus node dysfunction; Syncope; epilepsy; herpes simplex encephalitis; bradyarrhythmia; sinus node dysfunction; sinus arrest
• ISSN: 0918-2918; 1349-7235; 1349-7235
• DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2430-23

Sinus arrest and inappropriate sinus bradycardia are sinus node dysfunction (SND), which cause loss of consciousness. Cardiac pacing is recommended in patients with symptoms, such as syncope or dizziness. Several conditions can induce these arrhythmias; however, whether or not intracranial infectious diseases, such as herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), can cause secondary SND is unclear. We encountered a patient with sinus arrest and transient sinus bradycardia associated with HSE. Since cardiac pause was never monitored and the bradycardia improved after HSE treatment, HSE was suspected to be the cause of SND. Although the underlying mechanisms have not yet been completely elucidated, HSE may cause secondary SND.