High-Grade Atrioventricular Block Associated With Acute Influenza

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Electrophysiology

Background:

• Influenza is known to cause cardiac and pulmonary complications.
• The impact of influenza on the heart's conduction system has historically been considered minor.
• Atrioventricular block is a condition affecting the heart's electrical signaling.

Observation:

• Two distinct cases of high-grade atrioventricular block were observed in patients with acute influenza infection.
• One patient was a 50-year-old woman with no prior cardiac history.
• The second patient was a 20-year-old man with pre-existing complex congenital heart disease and conduction abnormalities.

Findings:

• Both patients required permanent pacemaker implantation due to the severity of the atrioventricular block.
• Persistent atrioventricular block was noted in the first patient at 4 months post-pacemaker implantation.
• The second patient showed signs of resolution of atrioventricular block by 3 months post-pacemaker implantation.

Implications:

• The long-term or permanent nature of influenza-associated atrioventricular block remains uncertain.
• Close cardiac rhythm monitoring is recommended for influenza patients presenting with cardiac rhythm abnormalities.
• Further research is needed to understand the transient versus permanent effects of influenza on the cardiac conduction system.