Atrioventricular Block
February 15th, 2021
Overview
Atrioventricular (AV) block occurs due to delayed conduction of an impulse between the atria or ventricles, due to intrinsic or extrinsic causes.
Causes of Atrioventricular Block
Intrinsic
- Idiopathic degeneration
- Myocardial infarction
- Congenital - congenital heart disease, neonatal lupus
- Infiltrative disease - sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, haemochromatosis
- Cardiac procedures - valvular surgery, correction of congenital heart disease, catheter ablation
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Myocarditis
Extrinsic
- Physiologic - sleep, athletes
- Autonomic - carotid sinus massage, carotid sinus hypersensitivity
- Drugs - beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin, adenosine, amiodarone
- Hyperkalaemia
- Hypothyroidism
Physiologic and autonomic causes of AV block tend to result in first degree or Mobitz I heart block, while pathologic causes tend to result in Mobitz II, advanced second degree or complete heart block.
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