title: Unexpected, dramatic improvement in atrioventricular conduction during pacemaker implantation for apparent complete heart block.
abstract: We describe the case of a 29-year-old man with complete heart block after aortic and mitral valve surgery for bacterial endocarditis. Prior to pacemaker implantation, the patient had sinus bradycardia with third degree atrioventricular (AV) block. During testing of the atrial lead, the patient manifested intact AV conduction with a constant PR interval, which was robust up to 120 beats/min. This case represents a dramatic example of unexpected, improved AV conduction, perhaps a result of loss of Phase IV block.
authors.affiliation: Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. JMD11@Columbia.edu
authors.forename: Jose'
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dizon
authors.forename: Huijian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biviano
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Garan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D006327:Heart Block / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome