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atrioventricular (AV) block

A delay in conduction of electrical impulses through the AV node or a dissociation of the electrical impulses between the atrium & ventricle, generally resulting in a reduction in heart rate. Etiology: 1) idiopathic fibrosis of the conduction system 2) inferior wall cardiac ischemia 3) congenital block 4) increased vagal tone 5) endocarditis with extension in the aortic valve annulus & formation of a pericardial abscess 6) pharmaceutical agents: a) clonidine b) methyldopa c) calcium channel blockers d) beta blockers e) digoxin Special laboratory: - prolongation of the PR interval

Specific

first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block (complete heart block)

General

supraventricular arrhythmia bradyarrhythmia (bradycardia) heart block

References

  1. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed. Companion Handbook, Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1995, pg 829-39
  2. Manual of Medical Therapeutics, 28th ed, Ewald & McKenzie (eds), Little, Brown & Co, Boston, 1995, pg 139
  3. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, 18. American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998, 2018.
  4. Da Costa D, Brady WJ, Edhouse J. Bradycardias and atrioventricular conduction block. BMJ. 2002 Mar 2;324(7336):535-8. Review. PMID: 11872557 Free PMC Article