Summary

• AV block can be described by degree (based on ECG appearance) or by anatomical level of block.
• The degree of AV block or anatomical level of block does not necessarily correlate with the severity of subsequent symptoms.
• The goals of therapy are to treat symptoms and to prevent syncope and sudden cardiac death due to very slow or absent ventricular rates.
• Patients with advanced AV block (usually type II second-degree, third-degree, or infranodal AV block) of irreversible cause should undergo permanent pacemaker placement.