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Published on: May 29, 2015
Iatrogenic Atrioventricular Block
Christopher C Cheung1, Shumpei Mori2, Edward P Gerstenfeld1
1Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Division of Cardiology, University of California San Francisco, MU-East 4th Floor, 500 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Insights
Iatrogenic atrioventricular (AV) block, often resulting from cardiac procedures, can necessitate pacemaker implantation. This review covers causes, predictors, and management of AV block following interventions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Procedures
Background:
- Iatrogenic atrioventricular (AV) block is a complication of cardiac interventions.
- Patients undergoing aortic/mitral valve surgery or transcatheter aortic valve replacement face high risks.
- Electrophysiologic procedures also carry risks of AV conduction system injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the causes of iatrogenic AV block.
- To identify predictors for developing AV block.
- To outline general management strategies for iatrogenic AV block.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of iatrogenic atrioventricular block.
- Analysis of causes and risk factors in cardiac surgery and electrophysiology.
- Synthesis of management guidelines.
Main Results:
- Aortic and mitral valve surgery pose significant risks for perioperative AV block.
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement increases AV block incidence.
- Catheter ablation procedures can lead to AV conduction disturbances.
Conclusions:
- Understanding iatrogenic AV block causes and predictors is crucial.
- Timely management is essential for patients experiencing AV block post-procedure.
- Further research may refine prevention and treatment strategies.
Abstract:
Iatrogenic atrioventricular (AV) block can occur in the context of cardiac surgery, percutaneous transcatheter, or electrophysiologic procedures. In cardiac surgery, patients undergoing aortic and/or mitral valve surgery are at the highest risk for developing perioperative AV block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation. Similarly, patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement are also at increased risk for developing AV block. Electrophysiologic procedures, including catheter ablation of AV nodal re-entrant tachycardia, septal accessory pathways, para-Hisian atrial tachycardia, or premature ventricular complexes, are also associated with risk of AV conduction system injury. In this article, we summarize the common causes for iatrogenic AV block, predictors for AV block, and general management considerations.
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