Complete atrioventricular block following internal electrical cardioversion during atrial fibrillation ablation

Abstract

Background: Complete atrioventricular block (C-AVB) following internal electrical cardioversion (IEC) during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation has not been fully investigated. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of C-AVB following IEC during AF ablation.

Methods: C-AVB (non-conducted sinus impulse after IEC) and ventricular pause (VP) (the interval between IEC and the QRS complex) following the first attempt of IEC, and baseline electrocardiographic parameters were investigated in patients who underwent first-time AF ablation.

Results: We investigated the first attempt of IEC in 124 patients (mean age:70 ± 11 years, 81 men, 99 non-paroxysmal AF). AF was terminated in 109/124 (88%) patients, with a VP of 1590 [1014-2208] (maximum, 8780) ms. Transient C-AVB following IEC occurred in 14/109 (13%) patients. The VP was longer in patients with transient C-AVB than in those without transient C-AVB (2418 [1693-4425] vs. 1530 [876-2083] ms, p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, the left atrial diameter (Odds ratio [OR]:1.21; 95% confidence interval (95%CI):1.06-1.39; p = 0.005) and preexisting intraventricular conduction abnormality (OR:9.22; 95%CI:1.60-53.3; p = 0.013) were predictors of transient C-AVB following IEC.

Conclusion: Left atrial diameter and preexisting intraventricular conduction abnormalities were predictors of transient C-AVB following IEC during AF ablation.

Keywords: Ablation; Atrial fibrillation; Atrioventricular block; Internal electrical cardioversion; Ventricular pause.