Complete heart block, also known as third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, is a condition in which electrical signals from the atria (upper chambers of the heart) fail to reach the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart) properly. The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) have outlined several potential causes of complete heart block. Here are the causes listed pointwise:
1. Degenerative changes: As people age, the electrical conduction system of the heart can undergo degenerative changes, leading to disruptions in the transmission of electrical signals. This can result in complete heart block.
2. Coronary artery disease (CAD): Blockage or narrowing of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart, can damage the electrical conduction system. Reduced blood flow to the conduction system can cause complete heart block.
3. Myocardial infarction (heart attack): A heart attack can damage the electrical pathways of the heart, including the AV node, which can lead to complete heart block.
4. Congenital heart defects: Some individuals are born with abnormal heart structures or electrical pathways. These congenital defects can include abnormalities in the AV node or the bundle of His, leading to complete heart block.
5. Inflammatory conditions: Certain inflammatory conditions, such as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), can affect the conduction system and disrupt the transmission of electrical signals.
6. Medications: Certain medications, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and some antiarrhythmic drugs, can interfere with the normal conduction of electrical signals in the heart, potentially causing complete heart block.
7. Infiltrative diseases: Diseases that cause abnormal substances to accumulate in the heart muscle, such as amyloidosis or sarcoidosis, can disrupt the electrical conduction system and result in complete heart block.
8. Surgical complications: Heart surgeries, particularly those involving the placement of artificial valves or repair of congenital defects, can inadvertently damage the conduction system, leading to complete heart block.
9. Idiopathic causes: In some cases, the exact cause of complete heart block cannot be identified. This is referred to as idiopathic complete heart block.
It's important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there can be other less common causes of complete heart block. A comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional is necessary to determine the underlying cause in each individual case.
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