Anti-Ro Antibodies and Reversible Atrioventricular Block

To the Editor: Transplacental transfer of anti-Ro antibodies is a well-known cause of conduction defects and permanent atrioventricular block in newborns.1 In adults, conduction disturbances related to these antibodies are rare.2 We report a case of a 26-year-old woman with no history of this condition who was admitted to the hospital through the emergency department after having several syncopal episodes. Electrocardiography (ECG) performed while the patient was at rest showed complete atrioventricular block and ventricular escape rhythm associated with left bundle-branch block (Figure 1A). Laboratory evaluation included a positive test for antinuclear antibodies (with the HEp-2 cell substrate) at a . . .