Pacemaker therapy in isolated congenital complete atrioventricular block.

Journal Article (Journal Article;Multicenter Study)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pacemaker (PM) therapy in patients with isolated congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB). Patients with CCAVB eventually quality for PM implantation, however, timing remains controversial. Retrospective evaluation of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), shortening fraction (SF), and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) in 149 CCAVB patients, before, at, and after PM implantation was carried out. LVEDD shows an average increase of 0.48%/month in non-PM patients, and an average decrease of 0.88%/month in PM patients. SF shows an average increase of 0.10%/month in non-PM, and an average decrease of 0.32%/month in PM patients. CTR shows an average increase of 0.02%/month in non-PM, and an average decrease of 0.19%/month in PM patients. The difference between the non-PM and PM groups is significant (P = 0.05) for all variables. Symptomatic patients show no significant change in LVEDD after PM therapy (from 66.5% before to 68.5% after PM therapy). Asymptomatic patients do show a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in LVEDD after PM therapy (from 78.4% before to 73.3% after PM therapy). CTR does not differ significantly between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients before PM therapy (58% and 57%, respectively). CTR does differ significantly (P < 0.001) between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients after PM therapy (52% and 48%, respectively). Heart size and SF are increased in most patients with isolated CCAVB. PM implantation is associated with a decrease in heart size and normalization of SF in most patients. Indications for PM therapy in children may require reevaluation in asymptomatic patients with increased cardiac size and decreased cardiac function.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Breur, JMPJ; Udink Ten Cate, FEA; Kapusta, L; Cohen, MI; Crosson, JE; Boramanand, N; Lubbers, LJ; Friedman, AH; Brenner, JI; Vetter, VL; Sreeram, N; Meijboom, EJ

Published Date

  • December 2002

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 25 / 12

Start / End Page

  • 1685 - 1691

PubMed ID

  • 12520668

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0147-8389

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1046/j.1460-9592.2002.01685.x

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States