Atrioventricular block

Atrioventricular (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.

Atrioventricular (AV) block is a cardiac electrical disorder defined as impaired (delayed or absent) conduction from the atria to the ventricles. The severity of the conduction abnormality is described in degrees: first-degree; second-degree, type I (Wenckebach or Mobitz I) or type II (Mobitz II); and third-degree (complete) AV block. This classification scheme should be applied only during sinus rhythm and not during rapid atrial arrhythmias or to premature atrial beats.[1]Josephson ME. Clinical cardiac electrophysiology: techniques and interpretations. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008.