It is a type of slow arrhythmia characterized by a total interruption of electrical conduction between the chambers of the heart. There is an electrical disconnection between the atria and ventricles.
The most frequent causes in infancy are hereditary heart disease (congenital heart disease), infections and cardiac surgery. It is frequent in newborns whose mothers have Lupus.
In the newborn, it manifests with a slow heart rhythm. In infancy, in addition to the slow heart rate, other symptoms such as weakness, poor exercise tolerance and loss of consciousness may occur.
Diagnosis is made by clinical history, physical examination and electrocardiogram.
To maintain the heart rate close to the normal range, drugs that accelerate the heart rate and if necessary a pacemaker will be used.
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- Baruteau AE, Fouchard S, Behaghel A, et al. Characteristics and long-term outcome of non-immune isolated atrioventricular block diagnosed in utero or early childhood: a multicentre study. Eur Heart J 2012; 33:622.
