[Paroxysmal tachycardic atrial fibrillation: termination by surgically induced A-V block (author's transl)]

In a 58-year-old patient frequent attacks of tachycardic atrial fibrillation had given rise to signs of abnormal cardiac function. All drug treatment had failed, as had several attempts at electric countershock and rapid atrial and ventricular stimulation. For this reason a surgical A-V block at the level of the His bundle was induced under cardio-pulmonary bypass and a ventricular pacemaker inserted. One year postoperatively the pacemaker functions without complication, and the patient is without symptoms. The ECG shows no sign of spontaneous A-V conduction. This is thought to be the first report of surgically induced A-V block for the control of atrial fibrillation.