A case of familial atrioventricular heart block affected by alteration of the autonomic nervous system

J Electrocardiol. 2001 Oct;34(4):339-44. doi: 10.1054/jelc.2001.27840.

Abstract

Familial atrioventricular heart block affected by the autonomic nervous system has rarely been documented. We describe a 35-year-old man who had first-degree atrioventricular heart block with a PR interval of 0.46 s. He had a family history of 2 members with complete heart block and 1 with documented atrial standstill. The man's P-R interval was shortened by exercise and phenylephrine administration. In the electrophysiolgic study, a "split His" with an H-H' of 220 ms was recognized. Such a case of familial atrioventricular heart block with abnormal His-Purkinje conduction affected by the autonomic nervous system is very rare and worthy of description.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Atrioventricular Node / drug effects*
  • Atrioventricular Node / physiopathology
  • Atropine / therapeutic use
  • Autonomic Nervous System / drug effects*
  • Autonomic Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Exercise
  • Heart Block / drug therapy*
  • Heart Block / genetics*
  • Heart Block / physiopathology
  • Heart Rate / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pedigree
  • Phenylephrine / therapeutic use
  • Sympathomimetics / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Sympathomimetics
  • Phenylephrine
  • Atropine