[Organization and management of acute complete atrioventricular block: Results from a Multicenter National Survey].

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.