Complete atrioventricular block during anesthesia

PURPOSE: To describe a case of asymptomatic first degree atrioventricular block with a bifascicular block that progressed to complete atrioventricular block during anesthesia. This potentially fatal block was successfully treated with transesophageal ventricular pacing. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 67-yr-old man was scheduled for microvascular decompression of the right trigeminal nerve under general anesthesia. His preoperative ECG showed first degree atrioventricular block with complete right bundle branch block and left anterior hemiblock, but he had experienced no cardiovascular symptoms. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane 5%, and maintained with isoflurane 1.5-2% in oxygen. Fifteen minutes later in the left lateral decubitus position, the systolic arterial blood pressure suddenly decreased from 80 mmHg to 0 mmHg. Then, the ECG abruptly changed from sinus rhythm to complete atrioventricular block. The heart was unresponsive to drug therapy such as atropine 1.3 mg and isoproterenol 0.5 mg, or transcutaneous pacing but transesophageal pacing was successful. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic first degree atrioventricular block with bifascicular block advanced to complete atrioventricular block during anesthesia. The block was successfully managed with transesophageal pacing.     

Transient right bundle branch block during anesthesia

Transient right bundle branch block occasionally occurs under anesthesia. We report a case of heart rate dependent right bundle branch block during sevoflurane anesthesia. A 74-year-old man was scheduled for partial hepatectomy. Past medical history was unremarkable, and preoperative electrocardiogram showed no conduction abnormalities. Operation was performed with epidural and general anesthesia. Five hours after induction of general anesthesia, complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) occurred gradually without any hemodynamic changes. Although CRBBB persisted in his electrocardiogram (ECG) during surgery, recovery to normal conduction was observed 8 hours after surgery. The 12-lead ECG after disappearance of CRBBB was normal. There was no change in his vital signs and subjective symptoms. Serum level of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) isoenzyme was within normal ranges, and change of ventricular conduction corresponded with the change of heart rate. These observations suggest that transient CRBBB in this case was rate dependent.     

Coronary artery spasm immediately after insertion of a laryngeal mask airway during induction of general anesthesia

We describe the case of a 73-year-old woman scheduled for tendon sheath release for carpal tunnel syndrome under general anesthesia. Preoperatively, she had hypertension and complete right bundle branch block with normal left ventricular function. During general anesthetic induction, immediately after insertion of the laryngeal mask airway, her electrocardiogram (ECG) showed remarkable ST segment elevation followed by complete atrio-ventricular block. Transcutaneous cardiac pacing was immediately started and nitroglycerin was administered. Nine minutes after starting cardiac pacing, the level of the ST segment and heart rate returned to baseline. The surgical procedure was postponed and the patient was admitted to the coronary care unit. Thereafter, her ECG remained normal. Coronary artery spasm was suspected due to the transient nature of the cardiac symptoms, although the cause of the spasm was not clear. Coronary artery spasm can occur even in patients with relatively low cardiovascular risks. Hence, it is essential to be vigilant about all kinds of circulatory changes, including ECG changes, and to be prepared with the drugs and devices required to deal with sudden untoward cardiac events.     

Coronary spasm during laryngoplasty

A 63-yr-old man weighing 56kg was scheduled for pharyngoplasty under general anesthesia. The patient had no history of ischemic heart disease. Preoperative ECG showed incomplete right branch block. We administered thiopental and succinylcholine for intubation. Anesthesia was maintained with enflurane, nitrous oxide, oxygen and pancuronium bromide. Thirty minutes after the start of incision, the patient developed a severe hypotension and ECG revealed ST elevation and complete AV block. We administered ephedrine hydrochloride, phenylephrine hydrochloride and atropine sulfate. The ECG returned to sinus rhythm but ST segment was depressed this time. We considered it due to coronary spasm, so we started continuous intravenous administration of nitroglycerin (0.5 microgram. kg-1. min-1). One hour later, ST segment returned to normal. ECG showed no remarkable changes and no symptoms were seen after the operation. We found it important to suspect coronary spasm when ECG showed PVC-like abnormal waves with ST elevation. We consider that continuous administration of nitroglycerin at a rate of 0.5 microgram. kg-1. min-1 was effective for the treatment of coronary spasm in this case.     

Intermittent complete left bundle branch block during general anesthesia

We report a case of intermittent complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) which occurred during general anesthesia. An 83-year-old female was scheduled for upper lobectomy of the right lung under general anesthesia. Her preoperative 12-lead ECG showed atrial fibrillation and ST-depression in V4-6. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and pentazocine, and maintained with 0.5-1.5% isoflurane, 0-50% nitrous oxide in oxygen under close monitoring and appropriate respiratory management. The operation was performed uneventfully. Several minutes after the end of surgery, on converting her into the supine position from the left lateral decubitus position, widened QRS complexes, later diagnosed as CLBBB, appeared on ECG. At that time, heart rate was 92 beats x min(-1). After the administration of esmolol hydrochloride, heart rate decreased rapidly in a few minutes and ECG returned to normal conduction from CLBBB. We diagnosed this as rate-dependent intermittent CLBBB. Although intermittent CLBBB continued until the next day, the patient was asymptomatic and cardiac enzymes were within normal ranges. The intermittent CLBBB, which occasionally occurs during anesthesia, makes the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia and acute myocardial infarction difficult. The present case suggests that esmolol can be used effectively and safely to distinguish CLBBB as a benign disorder from myocardial ischemia in a patient with CLBBB.     

Patient whose surgery was postponed due to complete atrioventricular block on arrival at operating theater

An 86-year-old woman with low cardiac function was scheduled to undergo hip fracture surgery. Preoperative electrocardiogram showed complete left bundle brunch block, first degree atrioventricular block, left axis deviation and bigeminy. However, her electrocardiogram had changed to complete atrioventricular block on arrival at operating theater. ACC/AHA guideline on perioperative cardiovascular evaluation and care for non cardiac surgery indicates the assessment of both the urgency of the surgery and cardiac complications. Because complete atrioventricular block is classified to "active cardiac conditions", we decided to postpone the surgery for more detailed evaluation and treatment of cardiac conditions. In spite of the discontinuation of digoxin and carvegilol, complete atrioventricular block continued for a week, and the permanent pacemaker was inserted. The surgery was performed 2 weeks following the insertion of the pacemaker without any problems under combined general and lumbar epidural anesthesia.     

Late recovery of atrioventricular conduction after pacemaker implantation for complete heart block associated with surgery for congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVES: Pacemaker implantation is a standard recommendation for patients with persistent complete heart block following surgery for congenital heart disease. This study was performed to determine the incidence and clinical significance of late recovery of atrioventricular conduction following pacemaker implantation. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2001, 5662 open cardiac procedures for congenital heart defects were performed at our institution. The postoperative course of all patients with complete heart block in whom a permanent pacemaker was implanted was followed on a monthly basis, by either clinical or transtelephonic follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients with persistent postoperative complete heart block underwent pacemaker implantation. After insertion of the pacemaker, recovery of atrioventricular conduction was recognized in 7 of 72 patients (9.6%) at a median of 41 days (18-113 days) after the initial cardiac operation. These included 3 patients with ventricular septal defect, 2 with ventricular inversion or single ventricle, and 1 each with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and atrioventricular septal defect. During a mean follow-up of 4.4 +/- 2.6 years, there was no late recurrence of heart block. Three patients had residual right bundle branch block and 1 had first-degree atrioventricular block. CONCLUSIONS: Atrioventricular conduction may return in a small but significant percentage of patients following pacemaker implantation for complete heart block associated with congenital heart surgery. When recovery of atrioventricular conduction occurs within the first months after surgery it appears reliable, which suggests that lifelong cardiac pacing may not be necessary in these individuals.     

Usefulness of routine electrocardiography for heart disease screening in patients with spondyloarthropathy or rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectiveTo assess the usefulness of routine electrocardiography for heart disease screening in patients with spondyloarthropathy (SpA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsWe included consecutive patients with SpA or RA or with degenerative joint disease (control group) admitted over a 6-month period and free of cardiovascular events. A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained and was interpreted by a cardiologist who was unaware of the diagnosis.ResultsWe included 108 patients with SpA (mean duration, 11 ± 10 years), 106 with RA (mean duration, 12 ± 9 years), and 74 with degenerative joint disease (controls). No patient had cardiovascular symptoms or a prior history of cardiovascular disease. The only difference in cardiovascular risk factors across the three populations was a higher prevalence of diabetes in the RA and control groups. We found no differences between the SpA or RA groups and the control group regarding the rates of the following ECG findings: premature beats, atrioventricular block (2.8% in the SpA group, 1.9% in the RA group, and 2.7% in the control group), complete or incomplete left bundle branch block (0.9%, 0.9%, and 2.7%, respectively), complete right bundle branch bloc or left bundle branch block (0.9%, 4.7%, and 4.1%, respectively); and abnormalities suggesting myocardial ischemia (10.2%, 19.8%, and 17.6%, respectively).ConclusionIn patients with SpA or RA who have no cardiovascular symptoms or history of cardiovascular disease, a routine ECG shows no increase in the cardiac abnormalities specifically associated with these joint diseases, compared to controls with degenerative joint disease.     

Late postoperative results after repair of tetralogy of Fallot

Two hundred and eighty two survivors after complete correction of tetralogy of Fallot were analyzed in late follow up periods. The method of the reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract was non-transannular path (NTAP) in 110 patients and transannular patch in 172. In the group of TAP, pulmonary regurgitation occurred in all and the cardio-thoracic ratio was larger than the ratio in the group of NTAP (p less than 0.05). Postoperative ECG at rest showed complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) in 224 patients and 6 of them showed sudden death in their follow up period. However, there were no sudden deaths in 41 patients without CRBBB. The rate of reoperation after intracardiac repair was 4.25% and the causes were residual pulmonary stenosis and residual ventricular septal defect, and there were no significant differences of the reoperation rate between NTAP-group and TAP-group.     

Shallow stitching close to the rim of the ventricular septal defect eliminates injury to the right bundle branch

BACKGROUND: Complete right bundle branch block carries a deleterious effect on the long-term outcome of patients who undergo surgical treatment of the perimembranous ventricular septal defect. We describe a novel suturing method to reduce the prevalence of complete right bundle branch block. METHODS: From March 1996 through December 2000, 48 consecutive patients with perimembranous ventricular septal defect underwent patch closure using shallow stitches placed close to the rim (group 1). The same number of patients was randomly selected from those who had previously undergone surgery using deep stitches placed distant from the rim (group 2). Postoperative electrocardiograms were reviewed to compare the prevalence of complete right bundle branch block between groups. A morphologic study of the conduction system was performed to identify the vulnerable segment of the right bundle branch where the surgical damage tended to occur. Additional analyses were made to determine whether younger age and right ventriculotomy increased the prevalence of complete right bundle branch block. RESULTS: The prevalence of complete right bundle branch block in group 1 (6.3%) was significantly (p < 0.0001) lower than in group 2 (43.8%). The result was consistent with the morphologic finding that stitches of group 2 tended to damage the right bundle branch and those of group 1 did not. The younger age and right ventriculotomy did not increase the prevalence of complete right bundle branch block. CONCLUSIONS: Shallow stitches placed close to the rim of the perimembranus ventricular septal defect eliminate injury to the right bundle branch.     

Anesthetic management of the surgical patients with complete left bundle branch block

For last ten years twenty three cases of anesthesia were performed in twenty surgical patients with complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) ranging in ages from 58 to 82 years. The CLBBB in these patients included 16 cases of permanent block, 6 cases of transient block and one case of alternative block. Two of these patients had no past history of heart disease, but the remaining patients had hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cardiomegaly, cardiac hypertrophy or others. Transient episodes of CLBBB were detected on the preoperative examination, on arrival at operating room or after the emergence from anesthesia at a recovery room, and some of which were provoked by elevated blood pressure or increased heart rate. A transient CLBBB in the patient changed to permanent CLBBB two years later. Complete atrioventricular (A-V) block appeared suddenly in the patient with alternative CLBBB four months after the surgery. Complete A-V block did not develop during anesthesia and surgery in our patients with CLBBB. Therefore we consider a routine prophylactic temporary pacemaker is not necessary during anesthesia and surgery in patients with asymptomatic CLBBB. However, a temporary pacemaker equipment should be at hand in case of complete A-V block. Appropriate perioperative management of circulatory system is important for the patients with CLBBB because most of these patients have underlying heart disease.     

经右心房射频消融希氏束:一种建立完全性房室传导阻滞动物模型的新方法

目的通过右心房途径射频消融希氏束,探索一种建立完全性房室传导阻滞动物模型的新方法。方法健康家犬10只,麻醉开胸后右室面缝置临时起搏电极,经右心房荷包将四极大头电极送至三尖瓣口,标测定位并射频消融希氏束。结果9只犬成功建立完全性房室传导阻滞动物模型,1只犬失败。结论通过右心房途径射频消融希氏束是一种建立完全性房室传导阻滞动物模型的新方法。     

Perioperative risk of complete heart block in patients with bifascicular block and prolonged PR interval.

Because there is a paucity of information on the perioperative risk of developing complete heart block among patients with bifascicular block (either right bundle branch block and left anterior hemiblock or left bundle branch block) and a long PR interval on the surface electrocardiogram, we undertook an analysis of 76 such patients. Twenty-three patients had right bundle branch block and left axis deviation with a long PR interval and 53 had left bundle branch block with along PR interval. Thirty patients had 37 general anaesthetics, 23 had 32 spinal anaesthetics, and 50 had 64 local anaesthetics or endoscopic procedures. No patient developed complete heart block. Four patients developed sinus bradycardia during general anaesthetics, responsive to atropine or isoproterenol. Similarly, none of the 23 such patients in the literature reviewed had developed complete heart block. Because placement to temporary pacemakers is not without risk, we conclude that prophylactic pacing is not necessary in asymptomatic patients with bifascicular block even in the presence of a long PR interval. Since we did not study patients with recent syncope or myocardial infarction, caution should be exercised in applying these results to such patients.     

Is the prognosis poorer in heart transplanted patients who develop a right bundle branch block?

BACKGROUND: Currently studies conflict on the impact on mortality of right bundle branch block development after transplantation. Most studies conclude that right bundle branch block does not affect patient survival. However, no distinction is made between patients in whom right bundle branch block progresses and those in whom it remains unchanged during follow-up. The objective of this study is to assess clinical or survival differences between patients who develop right bundle branch block and those who do not, and also to analyze these differences depending on progression of this conduction abnormality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-seven consecutive heart transplant recipients with more than 1 year's survival were analyzed. Twelve-lead standard ECGs were performed during the first week after transplantation, which allowed for classification of patients depending on the presence or absence of right bundle branch block. Subsequently, throughout the first year, 2 groups were identified, depending on increase of the conduction defect. The groups were compared and factors determining the presence of right bundle branch block and progression of the conduction defect were found. Survival curves for the conduction defect were also compared. RESULTS: Fifty percent of the patients developed right bundle branch block after transplantation; it was progressive in 10. Progressive right bundle branch block was related to greater renal dysfunction (odds ration [OR] = 10.8; confidence interval [CI] = 2-58; p = 0.006), a larger number of rejections (p = 0.01), and a greater death rate (OR = 12.8; CI = 2.5-64; p = 0.002). The presence of progressive right bundle branch block was an independent predictor of long-term mortality (OR = 27.9; CI = 4.2-186.3; p = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: The development of right bundle branch block after transplantation is related to intraoperative factors and to a greater number of rejections. The presence of this conduction disorder, particularly if it progresses during the first year, identifies a sub-group of patients with a poorer long-term prognosis.     

Atretic right superior vena cava with left superior vena cava draining directly into left atrium with absent coronary sinus in an adult with partial atrioventricular canal defect and complete heart block

The association of atretic right superior vena cava with persistent left superior vena cava draining directly into left atrium with absent coronary sinus in atrioventricular canal defect is virtually unknown in adults with no case reported so far. Though atretic right superior vena cava with persistent left superior vena cava is an extremely rare venous anomaly seen in congenital heart disease, it has important clinical implications in cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology. Atrial arrhythmias and right bundle branch block are common with advancing age in partial atrioventricualr canal defect but complete heart block has scarcely been reported in the medical literature.     

Multiple electrocardiographic anomalies during anaesthesia in an athlete

A 22-year-old athlete was scheduled for a minor surgical procedure under general anaesthesia. During anaesthesia, his electrocardiogram demonstrated multiple episodes of dysrhythmias including complete bundle branch block, atrioventricular (AV) block, isorhythmic atrioventricular dissociation with junctional rhythm. Administration of atropine 1.0 mg IV terminated the last episode of dysrhythmias. Postoperatively, a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram showed first degree AV block, ST-segment elevation and prominent U waves. A 24 hour Holter recording demonstrated first degree atrioventricular block, episodes of marked sinus arrhythmias and one episode of sinus tachycardia at a rate of 152 beats ·min^-1. Treadmill stress testing revealed peak achieved heart rate of 200 beats·min^-1 without ischaemia. These findings collectively indicated athletic heart syndrome. Implications of athletic heart syndrome for the anaesthetist are reviewed and discussed.     

The conduction system in truncus arteriosus and its surgical significance. A study of five cases.

Atrioventricular block may occasionally occur after surgical correction of truncus arteriosus. We therefore studied the conduction system by means of serial sections in five cases of truncus (one after surgical intervention) to delineate the course of the conduction system and its relationship to the ventricular septal defect and the membranous septum. In general, the ventricular septal defect is in the anterior septum, confluent with the truncus, and the atrioventricular bundle is posterior and unrelated to the rim of the ventricular septal defect. In cases in which the ventricular septal defect is anterior and separated from the membranous septum by distinct muscle, the ventricular septal defect can be surgically closed without injury to the atrioventricular bundle. If the ventricular septal defect is related to the membranous septum, the atrioventricular bundle may be close to the ventricular septal defect and susceptible to surgical injury. If muscle separates the ventricular septal defect from the membranous septum, the branching bundle is close to the ventricular septal defect and also is susceptible to surgical injury. In one operated case there was partial dissolution of the left bundle branch, and the right bundle branch was involved in surgical closure of the defect. In summary, in truncus the conduction system varies in its course and is related to the location of the ventricular septal defect and its relationship to the membranous septum. The ventricular septal defect may be close to or related to the membranous septum, and the atrioventricular bundle and the beginning of the bundle branches may be vulnerable to surgical injury.     

Successful control of rapid heart rate with atrial flutter by intravenous administration of esmolol in a patient after total correction of the tetralogy of Fallot

A 30-year-old woman with atrial flutter after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot, underwent gynecological procedure under general anesthesia. Because she had been noted to have atrial flutter and heart failure at 8 weeks' gestation, she was scheduled for dilatation and curettage. Chest X-ray film showed cardiomegaly and pulmonary congestive changes. ECG showed atrial flutter with 3:2 atrio-ventricular conduction rate and complete right branch block. She was anesthetized with propofol infused with target-controlled infusion system, fentanyl and 66% of nitrous oxide under close monitoring and appropriate respiratory management. The quantity of hemorrhage was about 850 ml, and hypovolemia was treated with volume infusion and the use of vasoactive drugs. Soon after emergence from anesthesia, atrial flutter with 1:1 A-V conduction (> 230 bpm) occurred suddenly. Esmolol hydrochloride, 30 mg, was administered. Despite the relatively low doses, rapid control of heart rate was possible in a few minutes and the atrial flutter returned to 2:1 conduction. Although atrial flutter had continued until the discharge, tachyarrhythmia was no longer observed and the heart resumed sinus rhythm 3 month after the operation. The present case suggests that esmolol can be used effectively and safely for controling atrial flutter with rapid ventricular response in a patient after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot.     

Significance of mildly elevated creatine kinase (myocardial band) activity after elective abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy

The clinical significance of mildly elevated creatine kinase (CK) myocardial band (MB) enzyme levels in patients undergoing elective repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm was evaluated retrospectively in 348 patients. For each patient, preoperative and postoperative electrocardiograms (ECGs) were interpreted blindly for left ventricular hypertrophy, ST segment abnormality, left bundle branch block, right bundle branch block, left axis deviation, atrial fibrillation, T wave abnormality, and Q waves. A total of 107 patients (31%) had postoperative CK-MB elevations of trace or greater; 37 had trace, 35 had 1% to 4%, and 35 had greater than or equal to 5% elevation. There was no difference in survival between those with trace and no CK-MB elevation. Patients with increased CK-MB (greater than or equal to 1%) values were more likely to have ECG abnormalities. The following ECG (either preoperative or postoperative) abnormalities were univariately related to decreased postoperative survival: left ventricular hypertrophy (P less than 0.001), ST segment abnormalities (P less than 0.001), left bundle branch block (P less than 0.001), the combination of right bundle branch block and left axis deviation (P = 0.006), Q wave infarction (P less than 0.001), and atrial fibrillation (P less than 0.001). There were 15 in-hospital deaths, and 333 patients were discharged and followed-up for a median of 4.6 years. There were 97 posthospitalization deaths, 61% of which were due to cardiac causes. Overall survival was associated with the degree of CK-MB elevation; the higher the CK-MB, the worse the survival.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mattress Stitch—A Modified Shallow Stitching in the Surgical Closure of Large Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect in Infants

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of the mattress suturing technique in repairing large perimembranous ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in infants.Methods: This was a retrospective review of 120 patients undergoing surgical closure of perimembranous VSD between 2010 and 2012. The mattress suturing technique was performed to close the infero-posterior rim of the perimembranous VSD in 60 patients (Group I) while the conventional shallow suturing method was used in the others (Group II). Propensityscore matching was performed to adjust for potential baseline confounders, which resulted in 120 patients matched to 95 patients. Perioperative outcomes were compared.Results: Postoperative mortality in both groups was zero. Two patients in Group II developed atrioventricular block (1 complete heart block and 1 temporal II-degree atrioventricular block) compared with none in Group I (p >0.05). Complete right bundle branch block was found in four patients in Group I and 12 patients in Group II (p = 0.035). Mean follow-up time was 26.6 ± 8.9 months. Three patients in Group II developed a small residual VSD while only one patient in Group I did during the follow-up period (p >0.05).Conclusions: The mattress suturing technique produced results comparable with the conventional shallow suturing method and seems to be of value in reducing the incidence of complete right bundle branch block. It appears to provide an optional method for surgical closure of large perimembranous VSDs in infants.