Frequency of atrioventricular block in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome and to compare the outcome in patients with or without atrioventricular block

Abstract

Background:
 In some cases of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction, atrioventricular (AV) block is known to be reversible. AV block is associated with certain complications. This study to find the frequency of AV block and related complications in local population.
 Aims and objective: 
 The objective of the study was to establish the frequency of atrioventricular block in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to compare the outcome in patients with or without atrioventricular block
 Material and methods:
 Thiscross sectional study was carried-out at the department of Cardiology, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore over a period of six months.Patients were screened for AV block. During hospital stay, patients were assessed for congestive heart failure, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest and mortality. Patients with and without AV block were compared by using chi-square test.
 Results:
 In our study, the mean age of patients was 61.00±11.75years. There were 242 (50.4%) males while 238 (49.6%) females. AV block was present in 95 (19.8%) patients while 385 (80.2%) did not develop AV block. Congestive heart failure was present in 50 (52.6%) patients with AV block while in 62 (16.1%)patient without AV block. Cardiogenic shock was present in 27 (28.4%) patients with AV block while in 30 (7.8%) patients without AV block. Cardiac arrest was present in 34 (35.8%) patients with AV block while in 42 (10.9%)patient without AV block. Death occurred in 28 (29.5%) patients with AV block while in 19 (4.9%)patient without AV block. The difference was significant (p<0.05) for all outcomes in both groups.
 Conclusion
 The frequency of AV block was although low but the complications were significantly high in patients with AV block.
 Key words
 Atrioventricular block, acute coronary syndrome, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, death