Electrocardiographic Abnormalities and Cardiac Disorders
Heart Block: Types, Causes, and Clinical Implications
Heart block is a conduction system disorder affecting signal transmission within the heart. It is classified into first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree types, each with distinct clinical implications.
Electrocardiographic Abnormalities and Cardiac Disorders
Heart Block: Types, Causes, and Clinical Implications
Heart block is a disorder affecting the electrical conduction system of the heart, leading to impaired signal transmission from the atria to the ventricles.
Types of Heart Block
- First-Degree AV Block: Characterized by prolonged PR interval (>200 ms) without dropped beats.
- Second-Degree AV Block: Divided into Mobitz Type I (Wenckebach) and Mobitz Type II, which differ in their degree of signal delay and dropped beats.
- Third-Degree AV Block: Complete failure of atrial impulses to reach the ventricles, requiring pacemaker intervention.
Causes of Heart Block
Heart block can result from multiple etiologies, including myocardial infarction, electrolyte imbalances, aging, and congenital abnormalities.
Clinical Implications
Patients with heart block may experience syncope, dizziness, bradycardia, and heart failure. Diagnosis typically involves an ECG evaluation, with treatment strategies ranging from pharmacologic interventions to pacemaker implantation.
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