[The natural course of a complete atrioventricular block]

The natural disease course is analyzed in 311 patients with atrioventricular blockade admitted for surgical treatment to the Leningrad Center of Arrhythmia Surgery and Cardiac Pacing. It has been discovered that, as a rule, Morgagni-Adams-Stokes (MAS) attacks do not occur for over 2-3 years after their onset, which determines to a considerable measure the patients: life expectancy. The authors hold that the very first Mas attack which may occur in a patient with atrioventricular blockade is an absolute indication for implantation of a permanent cardiac pacemaker. If the permanent cardiac pacemaker was established, 1-, 3-, 5-, 7- and 8-year survival rates were, respectively, 91.1, 85.8, 77.3, 63.2, and 60.8%.