Complete AV block (third degree) is a heart rhythm disorder characterized by a total interruption of electrical conduction between the atriaThe atria are the two upper chambers of the heart. They act as reservoirs for blood that will fill the ventricles. and the ventricles, diagnosed by ECG and usually treated with the implantation of a pacemaker.
Second-degree atrioventricular block (AV block) is a disorder of the heart’s electrical conduction system that has two main forms: type 1 AV block (Mobitz I or Wenckebach) and type 2 AV block (Mobitz II). Learn about their differences, causes, symptoms, and management.
First-degree AV block is not considered a “true blockage,” but rather a slowing of electrical conduction between the atriaThe atria are the two upper chambers of the heart. They act as reservoirs for blood that will fill the ventricles. and the ventricles. It differs from second- or third-degree AV block, where some — or even all — impulses fail to pass through the AV node.
Atrioventricular blocks (AV blocks) are delays or interruptions in the electrical signal traveling between the atriaThe atria are the two upper chambers of the heart. They act as reservoirs for blood that will fill the ventricles. and the ventricles. This pathway, controlled by the AV node — the heart’s “electrical gatekeeper” — can be slowed to varying degrees.
Three degrees of AV block are recognized, ranging from a simple delay to a complete interruption of the signal.
A chronic total occlusion (CTO) is a coronary arteryThe two coronary arteries, the right and the left, form the blood network that supplies the heart with oxygen and nutrients. They are located directly on the surface of the heart and branch into smaller vessels that that has been completely blocked for several months. Learn about its symptoms, diagnostic tests, risks, and the treatment options available to reopen the artery and improve quality of life.
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, often caused by a viral infection. It typically causes chest pain and usually resolves without long-term consequences. Fluid may sometimes accumulate around the heart and requires monitoring, but treatment is generally straightforward and recovery is usually complete.
MitraClip is a non-surgical procedure used to treat mitral regurgitation. Performed by catheter, it reduces valve leakage without open-heart surgery. It is mainly intended for patients at high surgical risk.
Coronary arteryThe two coronary arteries, the right and the left, form the blood network that supplies the heart with oxygen and nutrients. They are located directly on the surface of the heart and branch into smaller vessels that disease can progress silently and trigger a sudden event, even after reassuring test results. Understanding the role of atherosclerotic plaque and the importance of prevention helps reduce risk.
The Heart Team is a group of specialists who come together to discuss complex heart conditions and determine the most appropriate treatment. This collaborative approach has become essential with the rapid development of catheter-based procedures, such as TAVI, which now offer alternatives to certain types of traditional heart surgery.
Commotio cordis is a rare but extremely serious event: a sudden cardiac arrest caused by a direct impact to the chest, most often in an adolescent engaged in sports. Although it is not a heart disease, the impact can trigger ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening arrhythmia that requires immediate intervention.
