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Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: June 12, 2021
Percutaneous coronary intervention for persistent complete heart block complicating inferior myocardial infarction
S Ramamurthy1, S Anandaraja, Navin Matthew
1Department of Cardiology, Ste. 25, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. saraja79@yahoo.com
Insights
For inferior myocardial infarction (MI), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can reverse persistent heart block, potentially avoiding permanent pacemaker implantation. This approach offers an alternative to traditional guidelines in selected cases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Advanced atrioventricular block complicating acute myocardial infarction (MI) often necessitates permanent pacemaker implantation if persistent beyond the typical hospital course.
- Inferior MI-associated heart block is typically transient but can persist, posing a management challenge.
- Current guidelines do not prioritize percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for persistent heart block in MI without ongoing ischemia.
Observation:
- A case study involving a patient with inferior MI and persistent complete heart block is presented.
- The patient underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Findings:
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) effectively reversed the persistent complete heart block in this patient.
- The successful PCI obviated the need for permanent pacemaker implantation.
Implications:
- PCI may be a viable treatment option for selected patients with inferior MI and advanced atrioventricular block.
- Considering PCI before permanent pacemaker implantation could alter current management strategies.
- This case highlights a potential role for early reperfusion in managing complex heart block post-MI.
Abstract:
Current guidelines recommend implantation of permanent pacemakers for advanced atrioventricular block complicating acute myocardial infarction (MI) when the block is present beyond the usual hospital course. In patients with inferior MI, such blocks are usually transient, but they can also be persistent. However, they are not considered as primary indications for early reperfusion by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the absence of ongoing ischemia. We describe a patient with inferior MI in whom a successful PCI was effective in reversing persistent complete heart block, thus avoiding implantation of a permanent pacemaker. In selected patients with inferior MI and advanced atrioventricular block, PCI should be considered as a treatment option before recommending permanent pacemaker implantation.
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