Atrioventricular Blocks in Patients of Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background: Local prevalence of atrioventricular block (AV Blocks) may help us to diversify guidelines for their presentation in cases of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). Aim: To find the frequency of atrioventricular blocks (1st, 2nd and 3rd degree) in acute STEMI Methods: In a cross-sectional survey conducted at Department of Cardiology, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. One hundred and fifty patients of acute STEMI were selected after informed consent. Atrioventricular blocks were labeled by standard interpretation of ECG. Data was stratified for type of STEMI i.e., anterior, inferior, lateral and posterior wall MI. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Post stratification for age, gender and type of STEMI was carried out using chi square test. Results: 150 patients with mean age of 50.44 +/- 6.7 years were included. Among them 112 patients (74.7%) were male and 38 patients (25.3%) were female. Out of 150 patients, 107 patients (71.3%) had anterior wall MI, 19 patients (12.7%) had posterior wall MI, 19 patients (12.7%) had inferior wall MI whereas rest of 5 patients (3.3%) showed positive results for lateral wall MI. In our study sample, 112 patients (81.3%) had no AV Block, 19 patients (12.7%) showed type 1 AV Block, 7 patients (4.7%) had type 2 AV Block and 2 patients (1.3%) had type 3 AV Block. Female patients with anterior wall MI are at risk of developing AV blocks. Conclusion: It is concluded that frequency AV Block is high in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (18.7%). There is no effect of age on development of atrioventricular block but female patients with anterior wall MI are more prone.