Atrioventricular block (second of two parts)

A Patient with Congenital Complete Heart Block Undergoing Multiple Exposures to General Anaesthesia

We present a patient with congenital complete heart block who underwent multiple anaesthetic exposures for eye examination and bilateral cataract surgery. The diagnosis was made during the first general anaesthetic. Various complications encountered during the multiple exposures are discussed.

Signalment, clinical signs, and prognostic indicators associated with high-grade second- or third-degree atrioventricular block in dogs: 124 cases (January 1, 1997-December 31, 1997)

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate signalment, clinical signs, and prognosis associated with high-grade second- or third-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) in dogs.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS

124 dogs.

PROCEDURES

Data were gathered from ECGs, veterinarian questionnaires, echocardiograms, and radiographs submitted for review; compared with data from a large control group; and examined for association between variables and duration of survival. A new classification system for AVB was evaluated.

RESULTS

Afghan, Catahoula Leopard Dog, Chow Chow, Cocker Spaniel, German Wirehaired Pointer, and Labrador Retriever breeds were predisposed to high-grade second- or third-degree AVB. Heavier, older, and sexually intact female dogs were overrepresented in the study group. Weakness, lethargy, exercise intolerance, and syncope were the most common clinical signs. The presence of clinical signs was not associated with duration of survival. Dogs with high-grade second-degree AVB had a duration of survival similar to that of dogs with third-degree AVB. Dogs with high-grade second- or third-degree AVB were at high risk for sudden death in the first 6 months after diagnosis. High ventricular escape rhythm rate and narrow escape-complex QRS width were negatively associated with duration of survival. Pacemaker implantation had a significant positive association with survival.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Pacemaker implantation should be strongly considered in all dogs with high-grade second- or third-degree AVB regardless of whether clinical signs are evident. If medical treatment is warranted, vagolytic medications may be the best choice. A new classification system for AVB may merit further investigation.

Management of perioperative arrhythmias

Electrocardiography was the first application of electronic monitoring to anesthesia care. The detection of arrhythmias remains the most important use of this technology today. Several predisposing factors tend to emerge when perioperative arrhythmias are evaluated. These are the anesthetic given, the site of surgery, abnormalities of blood gases or electrolytes, tracheal intubation, reflexes such as vagal slowing and the oculocardiac reflex, stimulation of the central nervous system, the presence of preexisting heart disease, and the use of intracardiac devices. In the evaluation of cardiac arrhythmias, several facts need to be determined. The most important is to determine if there is an underlying complication of anesthesia and surgery that may explain the arrhythmia. In addition, it is vital to evaluate the heart rate, the regularity, the number of P waves per QRS, and the configuration of the QRS. The anesthesiologist needs to determine whether the rhythm is dangerous to the patient and whether it requires treatment. Prompt evaluation and management of perioperative arrhythmias reduce anesthetic morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the causes and pharmacological treatment of major abnormalities of atrial and ventricular cardiac arrhythmias occurring in the perioperative period.

The Wenckebach phenomenon

The Wenckebach phenomenon, or type I AV block, refers to a progressive lengthening of impulse conduction time, followed by a nonconducted impulse, or dropped beat. It can occur in a variety of pathologic settings, especially inferior myocardial infarction. Although a temporary pacemaker may be required, full spontaneous recovery is the rule.

Exercise-induced distal atrioventricular block

Three patients with 1:1 atrioventricular (AV) conduction at rest developed fixed 2:1 or 3:1 AV block during treadmill exercise testing. Electrophysiologic study documented block distal to the AV node in all three patients, and suggested that the exercise-induced block occurred because of increased atrial rate and abnormal refractoriness of the His-Purkinje conduction system. The findings in these three patients suggest that high grade AV block appearing during exercise reflects conduction disease of the His-Purkinje system rather than of the AV node, even in the absence of bundle branch block. Patients with this diagnosis should be considered for permanent cardiac pacing.

The clinical significance of atrial pacing-induced Mobitz I atrioventricular block in patients with coronary artery disease

Two hundred consecutive patients with a history of chest pain undergoing cardiac catheterization, coronary angiography and atrial pacing have been analyzed to assess the clinical significance of Mobitz I atrioventricular (A-V) block developing with the stress of atrial pacing. Of 160 patients with coronary artery disease, 26 (16%) developed Mobitz I A-V block at rates below 140 beats/min. Eighteen of these 26 patients (69%) had electrocardiographic evidence of old inferior wall myocardial infarction, compared to only 34 of the remaining 134 patients (29%) (P = less than 0.01). During the mean follow-up of 29.5 months (range 18-50 months) none of the 26 patients has developed spontaneous second or third degree A-V block. Twenty-three of the 26 patients had an exercise test within one week of the pacing study. No A-V block was noticed during or immediately following exercise, although the mean heart rate attained during exercise was higher than the mean pacing rate at which the A-V block occurred (136 +/- 5 vs 122 +/- 3, P = less than 0.01). Eighteen of these 23 achieved heart rates equal to or higher than the pacing rate at which A-V block developed. Nineteen (83%) shortened their P-R interval during exercise and 4 (17%) did not change the P-R length. Although atrial pacing-induced Mobitz I A-V block may indicate a latent A-V nodal conduction abnormality in some cases, its demonstration does not necessarily predict the occurrence of spontaneous advanced A-V block. Exercise should not be restricted in these patients on the basis of such a finding during a pacing study.

Bedside emergency transvenous cardiac pacing: experience in two community hospitals

Emergency bedside transvenous subclavian cardiac pacing in 51 patients over a three-year period in two community hospitals is described. Fifty-three procedures were performed at the bedside with semifloating bipolar pacemaker catheters under continuous electrocardiographic monitoring to assist in the placement of the catheter tip. Of the 53 procedures, initial success in pacing was observed in 41 patients (77%). The largest number of failures to either initiate or maintain pacing was observed in the group with cardiac arrest associated with extensive myocardial infarction and complete heart block. Complications of this procedure were minimal. Only one 10% pneumothorax was noted. This modified technique is easily mastered and may prove lifesaving in an emergency.