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[Clinical features of five patients with delayed third degree atrioventricular block after ethanol septal ablation
Rong Liu1, Shu-bin Qiao, Feng-huan Hu
1Cardiovascular Institute and Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China.
Insights
Delayed third degree atrioventricular block after ethanol septal ablation is rare, occurring in 2.1% of patients. Monitoring and temporary pacemakers are recommended post-ablation to prevent syncope.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Context:
- Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) management.
- Ethanol septal ablation as a treatment for HOCM.
- Atrioventricular block as a potential complication.
Purpose:
- To analyze clinical features of delayed third degree atrioventricular block post-ethanol septal ablation for HOCM.
- To determine the incidence and characteristics of this complication.
Summary:
- A retrospective analysis of 235 HOCM patients undergoing ethanol septal ablation identified 5 cases (2.1%) of delayed third degree atrioventricular block.
- This complication occurred 32 hours post-ablation, with patients experiencing syncope and requiring temporary pacemakers.
- All patients recovered to normal sinus rhythm without permanent pacemaker implantation.
Impact:
- Highlights the rare but significant risk of delayed atrioventricular block after ethanol septal ablation.
- Emphasizes the need for prolonged ECG monitoring and prophylactic temporary pacemaker use.
- Informs clinical practice for managing HOCM patients undergoing septal ablation.
Objective:
To analyze the clinical features of patients with delayed third degree atrioventricular block after ethanol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.
Method:
The clinical data of cases with delayed third degree atrioventricular block after septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy at our hospital from 2000 to 2011 were collected.
Result:
Five out of 235 patients (2.1%) developed delayed third degree atrioventricular block. Delayed third atrioventricular block occurred at 32 h post ablation (28 - 120 h). Their average age is 46 (33 - 64) years old, there are 4 males and 1 female. Left ventricular outflow gradient before ablation was 70 - 100 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa). Intraprocedural third degree atrioventricular block occurred in 4 patients. The average injected dose of Ethanol was 1.8 (1.4 - 4.3) ml. Syncope occurred in 3 patients. Temporary pacemaker was reimplanted to all 5 patients and removed after an average of 8 d (3 - 18 d). All 5 patients were in normal sinus rhythms at discharge without the need of implanting permanent pacemaker. There was no syncope in these 5 patients after discharge during the telephone follow up for an average of 9 (1 - 72) months.
Conclusion:
The incidence of delayed third degree atrioventricular block after septal ablation is rare. Prolonged electrocardiography monitoring and prophylactic temporary pacemaker backup post ablation are necessary to detect this event and to prevent syncope related to delayed third degree atrioventricular block after septal ablation.
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