Incidence and predictors of complete atrioventricular conduction recovery among patients with heart block

Abstract

Aim: In this study, our aim was to determine clinical factors related to the recovery of the conduction system in patients presenting with atrioventricular (AV) block. Materials & methods: A total of 178 patients who were hospitalized at a tertiary center due to second- or third-degree AV block were retrospectively analyzed. Results: During hospital follow-up, 19.1% of patients had fully recovered from AV block. According to a logistic regression analysis; younger age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.950; 95% CI: 0.932–0.967; p < 0.001), presenting with acute coronary syndrome (OR: 18.863; 95% CI: 3.776–94.222; p < 0.001), β-blocker usage (OR: 12.081; 95% CI: 3.498–41.726; p < 0.001), high serum creatinine levels (OR: 4.338; 95% CI: 2.110–8.918; p < 0.001) and no calcification at the aortic valve (OR: 0.189; 95% CI: 0.050–0.679; p = 0.011) were found to be related to resolution of AV block. Conclusion: It is crucial to know the reversible causes of AV block to prevent unnecessary permanent pacemaker implantation.