Atropine is often used as a first line treatment of a<unk> -degree heart block in the presence of a narrow QRS which indicates a nodal block, but, may have little to no effect in an infra-nodal block. Atropine works by reducing vagal stimulation through the AV node but will not be effective in those who have had a previous heart transplant. Other drugs may be utilized such as epinephrine or dopamine which have positive chronotropic effects and may increase the heart rate. Treatment in emergency situations can involve electrical transcutaneous pacing in those who are acutely hemodynamically unstable and can be used regardless of the persons level of consciousness. Sedative agents such as a benzodiazepine or opiate may be used in conjunction with transcutaneous pacing to reduce the pain caused by the intervention. In cases of suspected beta-blocker overdose, the heart-block may be treated with pharmacological agents to reverse the underlying cause with the use of glucagon. In the case of a calcium channel blocker overdose treated with calcium chloride and digitalis toxicity may be treated with the digoxin immune Fab.<unk>  can be treated more permanently with the use of a dual-chamber artificial pacemaker. This type of device typically listens for a pulse from the SA node via lead in the right atrium and sends a pulse via a lead to the right ventricle at an appropriate delay, driving both the right and left ventricles. Pacemakers in this role are usually programmed to enforce a minimum heart rate and to record instances of atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation, two common secondary conditions that can accompany<unk> . Since pacemaker correction of the<unk> -degree block requires full-time pacing of the ventricles, a potential side effect is pacemaker syndrome, and may necessitate the use of a biventricular pacemaker, which has an additional 3rd lead placed in a vein in the left ventricle, providing more coordinated pacing of both ventricles. The 2005 Joint European Resuscitation and Resuscitation Council (UK) guidelines state that atropine is the first-line treatment especially if there were any adverse signs, namely: 1) heart rate 3 seconds. Mobitz Type 2 AV block is another indication for pacing. As with other forms of heart block, secondary prevention may also include medicines to control blood pressure and atrial fibrillation, as well as lifestyle and dietary changes to reduce risk factors associated with heart attack and stroke.
Third-degree atrioventricular block
Second-degree atrioventricular block
First-degree atrioventricular block
Ventricular escape beat
AV nodal reentrant tachycardia
Wandering atrial pacemaker
Re-entry ventricular arrhythmia
Left bundle branch block