Involvement of the cardiac conducting system in panarteritis nodosa.

Histopathological observations on the conduction system of the heart were carried out in three cases of panarteritis nodosa. This specialized tissue was involved in each case secondary to ischemia and/or periarterial extension of the inflammatory process affecting the nutrient arteries of the conducting system. The high risk of disturbances in impulse formation and conduction in patients with panarteritis is emphasized as well as the need for appropriate clinical investigation (protracted cardiac monitoring and control by catheter recording and stimulation) in order to secure early detection and prevention of life-threatening arrhythmias.