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Nonsurgically-acquired complete atrioventricular block in endocardial cushion defect
John D. Kugler1, Paul C. Gillette, Howard P. Gutgesell
1Lillie Frank Abercrombie Section of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas.
Cardiovascular Diseases
|June 1, 1981
Summary
Complete atrioventricular heart block (CAVB) can occur without surgery in children with endocardial cushion defects (ECD). Early diagnosis and pacemaker implantation are crucial for managing this condition and preventing complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Complete atrioventricular heart block (CAVB) is a known complication following cardiac surgery.
- Endocardial cushion defect (ECD) is a congenital heart condition that can predispose individuals to heart rhythm abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first case of acquired non-surgical CAVB in a child with an unoperated ECD.
- To raise awareness of CAVB as a potential complication in children with unoperated ECD.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an 8-year-old girl with ECD who developed CAVB.
- Review of existing literature on CAVB and ECD.
Main Results:
- The patient, an 8-year-old girl with ECD, developed CAVB without prior cardiac surgery.
- This represents the first reported instance of acquired non-surgical CAVB in a child with ECD.
Conclusions:
- CAVB may occur more frequently in children with unoperated ECD than previously recognized.
- Prompt diagnosis and intervention, such as pacemaker implantation, are vital for managing CAVB in this population.
- Awareness of this association can lead to timely diagnosis and improved patient outcomes, preventing heart failure and sudden death.