Beyond the pacemaker paradigm: cardioneuroablation for high-degree atrioventricular block in a young athlete

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Electrophysiology

Background:

• High-degree atrioventricular block in young individuals presents significant challenges, often necessitating permanent pacing with associated long-term risks.
• Sickle cell trait, while generally benign, can occasionally be associated with cardiac complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of cardioneuroablation in managing high-degree atrioventricular block in a young patient with sickle cell trait.
• To explore cardioneuroablation as a less invasive alternative to traditional pacing strategies.

Main Methods:

• A case study of a 15-year-old male athlete with symptomatic high-degree atrioventricular block and confirmed sickle cell trait.
• The patient underwent a novel cardioneuroablation procedure to address the atrioventricular conduction abnormality.

Main Results:

• Following cardioneuroablation, the patient experienced normalization of atrioventricular conduction.
• A nine-month follow-up revealed no recurrence of arrhythmias or adverse events.
• The procedure effectively resolved the high-degree atrioventricular block without the need for permanent pacing.

Conclusions:

• Cardioneuroablation represents a potentially effective and less invasive therapeutic option for young patients with high-degree atrioventricular block.
• This case highlights the feasibility of cardioneuroablation in a specific patient profile, including those with sickle cell trait.
• Further research and larger studies are warranted to establish the long-term safety and efficacy of cardioneuroablation in this population.