Conduction blocks

Any interruption or slowing down of the electrical flow along its path can cause specific “conduction disorders”.

At the level of the sinus node: Sinus dysfunction, sinus pauses, sinus bradycardia

Between the sinus node and the cells of the atria: Sinoatrial block, interatrial block.

At the level of the atrioventricular node: Intranodal atrioventricular block

At the level of the common trunk of the His bundle: Intra-Hissian atrioventricular block

At the level of the branches of the His bundle: of the 2 branches simultaneously (Infra-Hissian atrioventricular block) or of the left branch (Left bundle branch block or hemi block) or of the right branch (Right bundle branch block)

At the level of the ventricular cells: Intraventricular block

The severity, potential for progression and possible treatment depend on several parameters:

• From the anatomical location of the block (sinus node? AV node? His?)

• Whether it is complete or not (total interruption of the flow or slowdown?)

• The ability of other myocardial cells to take over (escape rhythm)

• The cause of this conduction blockage (permanent cause? transient? underlying heart disease? etc.)

• The ability of the heart and the body to adapt to its new mode of electrical conduction (what are the symptoms?)