title: Paroxysmal atrioventricular block.
abstract: Paroxysmal atrioventricular block (AVB) is a poorly defined clinical entity characterized by abrupt and unexpected change from 1:1 atrioventricular conduction to complete heart block, leading to syncope and potential sudden cardiac death. Although a dangerous condition because of unreliable escape mechanism, proper diagnosis of paroxysmal AVB is often missed and overlooked because of its unfamiliarity, unpredictability, and in some cases, no clear evidence of atrioventricular conduction disease during normal 1:1 conduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. ghinii@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Sinjin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hein J J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wellens
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Josephson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054537:Atrioventricular Block / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012849:Sinoatrial Node / Q000473:pathology; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology