The Pathogenesis of Atrioventricular Block in Coronary Disease

Abstract

The hypothesis that the pathogenesis of acute and chronic atrioventricular (A-V) block in coronary disease is different is investigated. The conduction systems of two cases of acute A-V block and four cases of chronic A-V block associated with coronary disease were studied by serial section. This showed that acute blocks in coronary disease are related to ischemia. Chronic blocks, however, have a mechanical factor associated with the ischemic factor. The mechanical factor is related to the effect of fibrosis and calcification of the summit of the ventricular septum upon the branching portion of the A-V bundle and the left bundle branch.