Familial atrioventricular heart block; an autosomal dominant trait

A family of 28 individuals spanning four generations was investigated because of a finding of complete heart block in five members and the existence of a low degree of atrioventricular (A-V) heart block in a sixth member. The disorder was characterized by 1) adult onset in all, 2) complete A-V heart block in five and first degree A-V heart block in one, 3) sinus bradycardia in three, 4) atrial fibrillation in five, 5) abnormal QRS complex in five, 6) ventricular tachycardia in three, 7) left ventricular enlargement in all, and 8) mitral insufficiency in five. Proximal location of the A-V heart block was suggested by the fact that atropine caused acceleration of the ventricular rate and by the presence of a His bundle potential preceding the QRS complexes. Involvement of the distal conducting system was indicated by the widened QRS complex and a prolonged H-V interval. Pathologic examination in one case showed extensive sinus node fibrosis and interruption of the A-V node-His bundle connection. This disorder is probably due to an autosomal dominant trait.