title: [Retrograde conduction (ventriculo-atrial) in patients with AV or intraventricular block. Electrophysiologic evaluation].
abstract: The purpose of the study was to evaluate ventriculoatrial conduction in patients with chronic complete AV block (AVB) (35 pts--gr. A), who were qualified for pacemaker implantation and in patients with bifascicular block (BFB) (20 pts--gr. B), who had electrophysiological study performed to determine indications for permanent pacing. Anterograde and retrograde conduction by accessory pathways were excluded in all patients. Incremental ventricular pacing (60-80 bpm to 200-220 bpm) and programmed ventricular stimulation were performed. Ventriculoatrial (VA) conduction was present in 12 of 35 patients in gr. A (34%) and in 15/20 patients in gr. B (75%). Mean VA conduction time was 192 +/- 50 ms in gr. A and 200 +/- 54 ms in gr. B, effective refractory period of right ventricle (ERP-RV) was 270 +/- 30 ms and 250 +/- 29 ms respectively. Mean retrograde Wenckebach point was 128 +/- 41 bpm in gr. A and 132 +/- 30 bpm in gr. B. The level of VA Wenckebach block in gr. A was found at AVN in 4 of 12 patients and in remaining was not directly recognised. Levels in gr. B were: AVN--6, not recognised--9 patients. Ventriculoatrial conduction shows complex properties and dependence on the type of ventricular stimulation. Electrophysiological study enables to find a level of retrograde block in some patients.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Kardiologii Pomorskiej AM, Szczecinie.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaźmierczak
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kornacewicz-Jach
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puchała
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006327:Heart Block / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged