Atrioventricular block

Cardiovascular pathology is a scourge of modernrights. 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 out along one of the legs of the bundle.

Speaking of blockades, it is worth noting yet another important aspect of them: 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 the prolongation of the P-Q interval, it occurs most often.

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

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

When a complete AV blockade develops, transmissionimpulses from the atria to the ventricles and is completely impossible. As a result, the ventricles contract in their own rhythm. On the 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 an electrocardiogram is performed. 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 signs, then, for the full AV blockade, the so-called "cannon tone" is characteristic, which occurs when the ventricles and atriums contract simultaneously. In addition, when the incidence of ventricular contraction drops 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 occurin 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 onelimination of the cause that led to the appearance of a pathological condition. Therefore, in the beginning, infarctions, myocarditis and other diseases are treated. Further, with mild conditions (incomplete blockade), drug therapy can be used, in which cardiac glycosides are used primarily.

With complete blockades, the only effectivethe means leading to the restoration of the normal rhythm of the heartbeats, 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 blockagesare present now quite often and require comprehensive and thorough treatment, because this violation not only worsens the person's well-being, but also is a serious threat to his life.