Atrioventricular block

Cardiovascular pathologies are a scourge of modern man. And one of the most common heart diseases is atrioventricular blockade. This disease occurs during the violation of the impulses to the ventricles. Among the varieties of this pathology, the transverse (blockade of the Ashofa-Tavar node) and the longitudinal one are isolated, when impulses are carried along one of the legs of the bundle.

Speaking of the blockades, it is worth noting still an ode to them an essential variety - the fullness of development. With incomplete AB blockade, the following variants are distinguished.

Atrioventricular blockade of the first degree, carrying out pulses at which is somewhat slowed down. On the cardiogram it is manifested by an elongation of the P-Q interval, it occurs most often.

With blockade of the second degree, some of the impulses do not flow from the atrium to the ventricles. On the ECG, this picture looks like a progressive lengthening of the P-Q interval with a periodic fall of the ventricular complex. Then the cycle is restored, and the deceleration is again observed.

Atrioventricular blockade of the third degree is characterized by normal intervals of the atrial contraction cycle and periodic loss of the complex responsible for ventricular contraction. Incomplete blockade is less dangerous in comparison with the full delay of impulses.

When the complete AV blockade develops, the transfer of impulses from the atria to the ventricles is completely impossible. As a result, the ventricles contract in their own rhythm. On ECG, this is manifested by the more rare frequency of formation of ventricular complexes and their erratic arrangement, in which the latter can be superimposed on the atrial ones.

Speaking about clinical manifestations, it is worth noting that blockade of the first degree (incomplete) is detected only when carrying out an electrocardiogram. Auscultatory determine the latter is almost impossible. Complete blockade is clinically manifested by bradycardia, which does not change even after exercise. As for the auscultatory symptoms, then, for a complete AV blockade, the so-called "cannon tone" is characteristic, which occurs when the ventricles and atriums are reduced at a time. In addition, with a drop in the frequency of ventricular contraction to thirty or less beats per minute, characteristic sudden loss of consciousness can be observed, as well as marked heart failure prone to progression.

Atrioventricular blockade can not occur by itself, it is always preceded by any disease. Most often, this pathology is caused by myocarditis (diphtheria or rheumatic fever), myocardial infarction and coronary insufficiency.

Treatment of blockades is primarily focused on eliminating the cause that led to the onset of the pathological condition. Therefore, in the beginning, infarcts, myocarditis and other diseases are treated. Further, with mild conditions (incomplete blockade), drug therapy may be used, in which cardiac glycosides are used predominantly.

With complete blockade, the only effective means of restoring the normal rhythm of the heart beats is the surgical intervention to implant a pacemaker (artificial pacemaker). It should be noted that carrying out such an operation today significantly improves the condition of patients and prolongs their life.

Thus, cardiac arrhythmias and blockages occur quite often today and require comprehensive and thorough treatment, since this violation not only worsens the person's well-being, but also is a serious threat to his life.