The pathologic changes in the conduction system beyond the age of ninety

Abstract

The conduction systems of two women who were 92 and 91 years of age, respectively, were examined by serial section. The first patient had sick sinus syndrome for more than 20 years, and the second patient had intermittent complete AV block that alternated with normal sinus rhythm for 12 years before her death. Both patients has severe coronary artery disease and had pacemakers and were doing well. The conduction systems in both revealed fatty metamorphosis in the approaches to the SA and AV nodes, the SA node, the AV node, and the atria with fibrotic changes in the ventricular septum, the AV bundle, and the bundle branches. Patient 1 had normal SA nodal artery and patient 2 had extensive vascularization of the AV node. As the heart ages, fatty replacement of the atria affect the SA and AV nodes, and fibrotic changes of the ventricular septum affect the AV bundle and the bundle branches. Adequate collateral anastomosis to the conduction system may prevent the development of permanent complete AV block in the elderly.