Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2025

Cox-Maze IV Procedure Concomitant with Valvular Surgery In Situs Inversus Dextrocardia: A Single-Center Experience in China
Published on: February 11, 2022
The Heart Block Hat-Trick: A Case of Alternating First-, Second-, and Third-Degree Heart Blocks
Nicholas Huerta1, Salman Malik2, Christopher Haas1
1MedStar Health Internal Medicine Residency Program, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Insights
This case study details a young man with alternating degrees of atrioventricular (AV) block. Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) was successfully used for physiologic pacing.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Idiopathic atrioventricular (AV) block is uncommon in young patients.
- Alternating degrees of AV block (first, second, and third-degree) are exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A 39-year-old male presented with fluctuating degrees of AV block.
- Extensive workup for the cause of the AV block yielded inconclusive results.
Findings:
- The patient received a pacemaker for treatment.
- Physiologic pacing was achieved using left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP).
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for genetic factors in AV block.
- Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) emerges as a promising technique for physiologic pacing in complex AV block cases.
Abstract:
Idiopathic third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block in a relatively young patient is an uncommon phenomenon. Even more rare is when the third-degree heart block is alternating with the first- and second-degree AV blocks. In this case, we present a 39-year-old man with varying degrees of AV block, alternating the third-degree, second-degree, and first-degree AV blocks. The patient underwent an extensive workup for underlying etiologies, and results were inconclusive. A pacemaker was implanted and set for physiologic pacing via left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP). This case will discuss potential genetic abnormalities associated with AV block and highlight LBBAP as an emerging technique for physiologic pacing.
More Related Videos
06:57Ablation of Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia Using a Multipolar Catheter and 3-dimensional Mapping System for High-density Electro-anatomical Reconstruction
Published on: January 31, 2019
10:17Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System
Published on: April 11, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow...
Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias