Paroxysmal AV Block Extrinsic Vagal AV Block

Overview

Extrinsic vagal paroxysmal AV Block occurs secondary to an increase in vagal tone. ECG findings reflecting this include sinus rate slowing and increasing PP interval/ PR interval prior to the period of asystole.

Pathophysiology

• An extrinsic vagally mediated AV block (EV-AVB) may occur due to a vagal surge or a condition causing an increase in vagal tone such as during tilt table tesing, carotid sinus massage, coughing, micturition, defecation, swallowing, myocardial infarction, injection of dypramidole and cardiac transplant rejection.
• It causes SA and AV node slowing and is therefore reflected on the ECG as sinus rate slowing, increasing/irregular PP and PR intervals prior to a period of compete AV block. A heterogenous presentation in terms of Mobitz type I or II and complete heart block may also be noted. This is followed by a period of sinus acceleration.
• Electrophysiological studies indicate a normal H-H interval and therefore it can be assumed that it does not have any effect on conduction in the bundle of His and is not associated with any anatomic involvement, as seen in intrinsic AV Block.
• The pathophysiology of EV-AVB may even be related to the autonomic control of the sinus and AV nodes. A parasympathetic predominance over the SA node and sympathetic predominance over the AV node is exerted in a normal autonomic nervous system.
  • A disruption in this regulation may cause parasympathetic bursts and therefore, an AV block.
• The effect of vagal stimulation depends on the method and intensity of stimulation and the resting sympathetic activity.
• Vasalva maneuver, carotid sinus massage, water face immersion, tilt table testing may or may not induce an EV- AVB and in some cases a reversal may be seen on atropine administration. "Paroxysmal vagally mediated av block with recurrent syncope - Talwar - 1985 - Clinical Cardiology - Wiley Online Library".