Complete heart block complicating acute myocardial infarction [pattern, management and in-hospital outcome]

ABSTRACT

852 consecutive patients admitted to the CCU in Matareia Teaching Hospital [MTH] were studied to assess the incidence of complete heart block [CHB] in acute myocardial infarction [AMI], and evaluate its outcome and the type of therapy applied. Out of 605 patients with AMI, 24 developed CHB. Inferior wall infarction was present in 18, anterior AMI in 4, and subendocardial in 2 cases. The onset of block in all cases was in the first 2 days. Fifteen patients were treated medically and 9 required temporary pacing. Only 3 cases had persistent block and required permanent pacing. The overall outcome was good, whatever the therapeutic modality adopted