[Dilated cardiomyopathy and atrio-ventricular block in coeliac disease. Two case reports].

Abstract

We report two cases of celiac disease (CD) presented as an idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in association with a complete heart block in one patient, without digestive manifestation. The diagnosis of CD was obtained by both positivity of antiendomysial antibodies (AEA) and identification of the characteristic duodenal endoscopic and histological findings. Gluten-free diet improved the cardiac function in one patient but it had no effect on atrioventricular conduction in this same patient. These cases highlight the possible cardiac involvement in celiac disease and the relevance of antiendomysial and antigliadin antibodies test in case of rhythm disturbances and cardiomyopathies of unknown etiology. The effect of gluten free diet on cardiac performance was described.