Persistent Complete Atrioventricular Block after Induction of General Anesthesia in a Healthy Patient
- Author:
Gyeong Jo BYEON
1
;
Hye Jin KIM
;
Hyun Su RI
;
Su Sung LEE
;
Hee Young KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Atrioventricular block; Bradycardia; General anesthesia
- MeSH: Adult; Anesthesia, General; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Atrioventricular Block; Bradycardia; Bundle-Branch Block; Electrocardiography; Female; Heart Rate; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal; Operating Rooms; Risk Factors; Tachycardia, Ventricular
- From:Kosin Medical Journal 2019;34(1):65-71
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: A 38-year-old female patient had bradycardia in the preoperative electrocardiogram (ECG), and she showed severe bradycardia, with the heart rate (HR) under 40 beats per minute (bpm) even after arrival in the operating room. Immediately after endotracheal intubation, ventricular tachycardia with HR over 200 bpm occurred, but it disappeared voluntarily. The surgery was postponed for additional cardiac evaluation because of the persistent severe bradycardia. On postanesthesia day 2, complete atrioventricular (AV) block appeared. We expected spontaneous recovery over 2 weeks, but the complete AV block persisted. A permanent pacemaker was eventually inserted, and the patient was discharged without other complications on day 4 after insertion of the pacemaker. We report this case because complete AV block has commonly occurred in patients with risk factors such as first AV block, secondary AV block, or bundle branch block, but complete AV block has occurred despite the absence of arrhythmia in this patient.
