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Rare disease
Case report
Rare presentation of antisynthetase syndrome complicated by myocarditis resulting in sustained ventricular tachycardia
  1. Mehak Asad and
  2. Rajavarma Viswesvaraiah
  1. Department of Cardiology, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, England, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Mehak Asad; mehak.asad{at}doctors.org.uk

Abstract

We report a complex case of a 66-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) that was later correctly identified as an antisynthetase syndrome. This was only diagnosed after an episode of sustained ventricular tachycardia secondary to myocarditis. In this case report, we focus on the clinical features of this rare autoimmune condition and aim to provide useful tips to both general medical professionals and cardiologists to achieve correct differential diagnosis according to the updated international guidelines and recommendations. Early diagnosis is especially important due to the possible arrhythmogenic complications and the high mortality and morbidity associated with ILD and cardiac abnormalities.

  • cardiovascular medicine
  • arrhythmias
  • interstitial lung disease
  • rheumatology
  • connective tissue disease

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2020-234396

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors The lead author, MA, and the co-author, RV, were involved in the conception and design of the article. Both MA and RV discussed at length the structure of the case report and how best to present this type of rare case to the medical community. MA and RV also discussed the case with the patient and wanted to know what they felt was important from their perspective to help the medical community be aware of this rare condition. From the patient's perspective, they wanted the general medical community to be aware of the connection between their symptoms and the potential of this condition and for medical professionals to test for the anti-bodies earlier. MA and RV, therefore, discussed how best to portray this to medical professionals to write a case report which is accessible to acute physicians, respiratory physicians, rheumatologists and cardiologists. MA and RV were both involved in the clinical management of this patient for the entirety of their hospital stay and outpatient management. MA and RV planned the sections of the case report together and RV outlined the cardiac perspective of this rare condition. MA drafted and wrote the case report. MA liaised with the patient for their perspective and consent. RV followed up the patient in outpatients to keep updated with ongoing treatment. RV acquired the necessary figures used in the case report and MA edited them for publication. RV reviewed the first draft created by MA and made appropriate changes to the first draft. This was edited by MA and sent to RV who re-reviewed the case report and approved the submission. MA has edited and submitted this case report on behalf of RV.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.