[Outcome of 30 congenital atrio-ventricular blocks]

F Verdier1, M Jimenez, J M Chevalier

  • 1Hôpital d'instruction des armées R. Picqué, Bordeaux.

Archives Des Maladies Du Coeur Et Des Vaisseaux
|June 22, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Congenital isolated atrio-ventricular block (CAVB) is rare, but patients show good long-term survival. Early diagnosis, especially in utero, indicates a worse prognosis for children with CAVB.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Context:

  • Congenital isolated atrio-ventricular block (CAVB) management is poorly described in literature.
  • A retrospective study analyzed 30 cases of isolated congenital CAVB from 1980-2003.
  • The average follow-up period was 14 years, with no reported deaths.

Purpose:

  • To describe the management and long-term outcomes of congenital isolated atrio-ventricular block (CAVB) in pediatric patients.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of cardiac stimulation in managing CAVB.
  • To identify factors influencing prognosis in CAVB.

Summary:

  • Thirty patients with isolated congenital CAVB were studied, with 20 requiring pacemakers due to symptoms or bradycardia.
  • Epicardial VVI pacing was the initial approach in 65% of cases, followed by endocavitary pacing in 81%.
  • Cardiac stimulation did not prevent dilated cardiomyopathy; 10 patients without pacemakers experienced chronotropic insufficiency during exertion.

Impact:

  • Patients with CAVB demonstrate a favorable long-term vital prognosis.
  • CAVB diagnosed in utero is associated with a poorer prognosis for affected children.
  • This study contributes valuable data on the long-term management and outcomes of congenital CAVB.

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