Heart Block

 September 21

by Jonathan Downham

Heart Block

First-Degree Heart Block:

  • Description: The electrical signals are delayed as they pass through the atrioventricular (AV) node, but all signals eventually reach the ventricles.
  • ECG Findings: Prolonged PR interval (>200 ms)
  • Symptoms: Usually asymptomatic
  • Treatment: Generally, no treatment is required.

LITFL

Second-Degree Heart Block (Type I or Mobitz I/Wenckebach):

  • Description: Progressive lengthening of the PR interval until a QRS complex is dropped.
  • ECG Findings: Increasing PR interval with dropped QRS complex
  • Symptoms: May be asymptomatic or may experience dizziness
  • Treatment: Close monitoring, may require a pacemaker

Second-Degree Heart Block (Type II or Mobitz II):

  • Description: Some electrical signals are blocked, leading to dropped QRS complexes without PR interval prolongation.
  • ECG Findings: Dropped QRS complexes with constant PR interval
  • Symptoms: Dizziness, fainting
  • Treatment: Usually requires a pacemaker

Third-Degree Heart Block (Complete Heart Block):

  • Description: No electrical signals from the atria reach the ventricles.
  • ECG Findings: Atria and ventricles beat independently
  • Symptoms: Fatigue, dizziness, fainting
  • Treatment: Requires immediate pacemaker implantation
 Previous Article
Next Article

share this

Related Posts

Decompensated Alcohol Related Liver Disease Part 2

We return to our 48-year-old patient: jaundiced, hypotensive, drowsy, and bleeding. In decompensated cirrhosis, every treatment targets a disrupted system — splanchnic vasodilation, portal hypertension, toxin accumulation, and renal hypoperfusion.Although these patients look fluid overloaded, they are effectively hypovolaemic. Start with small aliquots of balanced crystalloid, avoiding 0.9% saline. In hepatorenal syndrome or tense ascites, 20% albumin is

Read More

Decompensated Alcohol Related Liver Disease

In this episode, I walk through the real-world critical care management of acute decompensated alcohol-related liver disease, using a high-risk ICU case to anchor the discussion. The focus is on understanding the underlying physiology—portal hypertension, rebalanced haemostasis, hepatic encephalopathy, infection, and hepatorenal syndrome—and translating that physiology into clear first-hour priorities at the bedside.  Listeners are

Read More