Background: Complete atrioventricular block (AVB3) may be an urgent potentially lifethreatening situation. Our objective was to describe the routine management of AVB 3, with emphasis on the organizational aspects.
Methods: From September 2019 to November 2019, a prospective national survey including 28 questions was electronically sent to 100 physicians (Google Form).
Results: The answers were collected from 93 physicians (response rate 93%). Permanent pacemaker implantation during weekends and nights (after 8PM) is possible for 49% of the operators (<5 times a year), for 15% (>5 times a year), impossible for 36% of the operators. For AVB3 nonresponsive to isoproterenol occurring during the night, a temporary pacing lead (TPL) is implanted by: the on-site medical staff on-duty (27%), the on-call interventional cardiologist (21%), the on-call electrophysiologist (19%), a permanent pacemaker is implanted by the electrophysiologist (12%), the strategy is not standardized (15%). An externalized active fixation lead (AFL) for AVB3 has already been implanted by 50% of the operators. 80 (86%) have already observed a dislocation of the TPL, a cardiac perforation already occurred in 57 (61%), a groin hematoma in 35 (38%), and this technique was proscribed for 4% of the operators.
Conclusion: Our survey shows important disparities in terms of management of AVB3 among the different centers. An externalized AFL with a reusable generator was used by half of the centers.
Keywords: Active fixation lead; Bloc atrioventriculaire complet; Complete atrioventricular block; Sonde de stimulation à fixation active; Sonde de stimulation électro-systolique; Stimulation temporaire; Temporary pacing lead.
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