Reversible Causes of Atrioventricular Block.

Chiara Pavone, Gemma Pelargonio

Journal: Cardiology clinics 2023;41(3):411-418

PMID: 37321691

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Atrioventricular blocks may be caused by a variety of potentially reversible conditions, such as ischemic heart disease, electrolyte imbalances, medications, and infectious diseases. Such causes must be always ruled out to avoid unnecessary pacemaker implantation. Patient management and reversibility rates depend on the underlying cause. Careful patient history taking, monitoring of vital signs, electrocardiogram, and arterial blood gas analysis are crucial elements of the diagnostic workflow during the acute phase. Atrioventricular block recurrence after the reversal of the underlying cause may pose an indication for pacemaker implantation, because reversible conditions may actually unmask a preexistent conduction disorder.

Address: Cardiovascular Sciences Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy.; Cardiovascular Sciences Department, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy; Cardiology Institute, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.ccl.2023.03.004

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Atrioventricular Block, Pacemaker, Artificial, Electrocardiography, Myocardial Ischemia