Atrioventricular block: Difference between revisions

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= Atrioventricular Block =
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
== Overview ==
| name                    = Atrioventricular block
| image                  = [[File:AV_block_sequence_(CardioNetworks_ECGpedia).png|250px]]
| caption                = ECG showing different types of atrioventricular block
| field                  = [[Cardiology]]
| synonyms                = AV block, heart block
| symptoms                = [[Bradycardia]], [[syncope]], [[dizziness]], [[fatigue]]
| complications          = [[Heart failure]], [[sudden cardiac death]]
| onset                  = Any age, more common in older adults
| duration                = Variable
| types                  = First-degree, second-degree (Mobitz I and II), third-degree
| causes                  = [[Myocardial infarction]], [[cardiomyopathy]], [[congenital heart disease]], [[medications]]
| risks                  = [[Coronary artery disease]], [[rheumatic fever]], [[Lyme disease]]
| diagnosis              = [[Electrocardiogram]] (ECG), [[Holter monitor]]
| differential            = [[Sick sinus syndrome]], [[bundle branch block]]
| prevention              = Management of risk factors, avoiding certain medications
| treatment              = [[Pacemaker]], [[medication]] adjustment
| prognosis              = Varies by type and severity
| frequency              = Common, especially in older adults
| deaths                  = Can be fatal if untreated
}}
An '''Atrioventricular block''' (AV block) is a type of heart block where the conduction between the atria and ventricles of the heart is impaired. This condition can lead to recurrent sudden attacks of unconsciousness, known as syncope, due to irregular heartbeats.
An '''Atrioventricular block''' (AV block) is a type of heart block where the conduction between the atria and ventricles of the heart is impaired. This condition can lead to recurrent sudden attacks of unconsciousness, known as syncope, due to irregular heartbeats.
[[File:AV block sequence (CardioNetworks ECGpedia).png|AV block sequence]]
== Types ==
== Types ==
There are several types of AV block, classified based on the degree of impairment in the electrical conduction.
There are several types of AV block, classified based on the degree of impairment in the electrical conduction.
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=== First-Degree AV Block ===
=== First-Degree AV Block ===
In a [[First-degree AV block]], there is a delay in the conduction between the atria and ventricles but all signals eventually reach the ventricles.
In a [[First-degree AV block]], there is a delay in the conduction between the atria and ventricles but all signals eventually reach the ventricles.
=== Second-Degree AV Block ===
=== Second-Degree AV Block ===
[[Second-degree AV block]] is subdivided into two types, Type I (Wenckebach) and Type II (Mobitz). Type I features progressive lengthening of conduction time until a beat is dropped. Type II is characterized by a sudden drop without prior lengthening.
[[Second-degree AV block]] is subdivided into two types, Type I (Wenckebach) and Type II (Mobitz). Type I features progressive lengthening of conduction time until a beat is dropped. Type II is characterized by a sudden drop without prior lengthening.
=== Third-Degree AV Block ===
=== Third-Degree AV Block ===
In [[Third-degree AV block]], also known as complete heart block, there is no transmission of electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles.
In [[Third-degree AV block]], also known as complete heart block, there is no transmission of electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles.
[[File:First Degree AV Block ECG Unlabeled.jpg|thumb|ECG showing a Third-degree AV block.]]
[[File:First Degree AV Block ECG Unlabeled.jpg|thumb|ECG showing a Third-degree AV block.]]
== Symptoms and Diagnosis ==
== Symptoms and Diagnosis ==
Symptoms of AV block can vary greatly depending on its type and severity, ranging from no symptoms to dizziness, fainting, or heart failure. Diagnosis typically involves an [[Electrocardiogram (ECG)|ECG]] to analyze the heart's electrical activity.
Symptoms of AV block can vary greatly depending on its type and severity, ranging from no symptoms to dizziness, fainting, or heart failure. Diagnosis typically involves an [[Electrocardiogram (ECG)|ECG]] to analyze the heart's electrical activity.
== Causes ==
== Causes ==
Causes of AV block include heart diseases such as [[myocardial infarction]], congenital heart defects, certain medications, and degeneration of the electrical conduction system with age.
Causes of AV block include heart diseases such as [[myocardial infarction]], congenital heart defects, certain medications, and degeneration of the electrical conduction system with age.
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the block. Options include lifestyle changes, medication, and in some cases, the implantation of a [[pacemaker]].
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the block. Options include lifestyle changes, medication, and in some cases, the implantation of a [[pacemaker]].
== Epidemiology ==
== Epidemiology ==
The prevalence of AV block varies with age and underlying heart conditions. It is more common in the elderly and those with heart diseases.
The prevalence of AV block varies with age and underlying heart conditions. It is more common in the elderly and those with heart diseases.
== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Cardiology]]
* [[Cardiology]]
* [[Electrophysiology]]
* [[Electrophysiology]]
* [[Heart arrhythmia]]
* [[Heart arrhythmia]]
== References ==
== References ==
<references>
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* {{cite web |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-block/symptoms-causes/syc-20354493 |title=Heart block |publisher=Mayo Clinic}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-block/symptoms-causes/syc-20354493 |title=Heart block |publisher=Mayo Clinic}}
</references>
</references>
== External Links ==
== External Links ==
* [https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/atrioventricular-block American Heart Association - Atrioventricular Block]
* [https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/atrioventricular-block American Heart Association - Atrioventricular Block]
* [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459143/ National Center for Biotechnology Information - Atrioventricular Block]
* [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459143/ National Center for Biotechnology Information - Atrioventricular Block]
[[Category:Cardiac arrhythmia]]
[[Category:Cardiac arrhythmia]]
[[Category:Cardiology]]
[[Category:Cardiology]]
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Latest revision as of 22:33, 5 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Atrioventricular block
Synonyms AV block, heart block
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Bradycardia, syncope, dizziness, fatigue
Complications Heart failure, sudden cardiac death
Onset Any age, more common in older adults
Duration Variable
Types First-degree, second-degree (Mobitz I and II), third-degree
Causes Myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, medications
Risks Coronary artery disease, rheumatic fever, Lyme disease
Diagnosis Electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitor
Differential diagnosis Sick sinus syndrome, bundle branch block
Prevention Management of risk factors, avoiding certain medications
Treatment Pacemaker, medication adjustment
Medication N/A
Prognosis Varies by type and severity
Frequency Common, especially in older adults
Deaths Can be fatal if untreated


An Atrioventricular block (AV block) is a type of heart block where the conduction between the atria and ventricles of the heart is impaired. This condition can lead to recurrent sudden attacks of unconsciousness, known as syncope, due to irregular heartbeats.

Types[edit]

There are several types of AV block, classified based on the degree of impairment in the electrical conduction.

First-Degree AV Block[edit]

In a First-degree AV block, there is a delay in the conduction between the atria and ventricles but all signals eventually reach the ventricles.

Second-Degree AV Block[edit]

Second-degree AV block is subdivided into two types, Type I (Wenckebach) and Type II (Mobitz). Type I features progressive lengthening of conduction time until a beat is dropped. Type II is characterized by a sudden drop without prior lengthening.

Third-Degree AV Block[edit]

In Third-degree AV block, also known as complete heart block, there is no transmission of electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles.

ECG showing a Third-degree AV block.

Symptoms and Diagnosis[edit]

Symptoms of AV block can vary greatly depending on its type and severity, ranging from no symptoms to dizziness, fainting, or heart failure. Diagnosis typically involves an ECG to analyze the heart's electrical activity.

Causes[edit]

Causes of AV block include heart diseases such as myocardial infarction, congenital heart defects, certain medications, and degeneration of the electrical conduction system with age.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the block. Options include lifestyle changes, medication, and in some cases, the implantation of a pacemaker.

Epidemiology[edit]

The prevalence of AV block varies with age and underlying heart conditions. It is more common in the elderly and those with heart diseases.

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

<references>

  • ,
 Atrioventricular Block, 
 New England Journal of Medicine, 
 2019,

Heart block(link). {{{website}}}. Mayo Clinic.



</references>

External Links[edit]

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