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Editorial
. 2024 Jul 26;16(7):385-388.
doi: 10.4330/wjc.v16.i7.385.

Misinterpretation of sleep-induced second-degree atrioventricular block

S Serge Barold  1
Affiliations
Editorial

Misinterpretation of sleep-induced second-degree atrioventricular block

S Serge Barold. World J Cardiol. .

Abstract

A number of publications have claimed that Mobitz type II atrioventricular block (AVB) may occur during sleep. None of the reports defined type II AVB and representative electrocardiograms were either misinterpreted or missing. Relatively benign Wenckebach type I AVB is often misdiagnosed as Mobitz type II which is an indication for a pacemaker. Review of the published reports indicates that Mobitz type II AVB does not occur during sleep when it is absent in the awake state. Conclusion: There is no proof that sleep is associated with Mobitz type II AVB.

Keywords: Cardiac pacemaker; Heart block; Mobitz type II atrioventricular block; Vagal tone; Wenckebach type I atrioventricular block.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: Dr. Barold has nothing to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mobitz type II atrioventricular block and vagally-induced type I atrioventricular block[14]. A: Mobitz type II atrioventricular block (AVB). There is regular sinus rhythm with a single non-conducted P wave. The PR intervals before and after the block are constant. The sinus rate is constant. The RR interval encompassing the blocked P wave is twice the RR interval prior to the blocked P wave; B: Vagally-induced type I AVB. There is sinus slowing shown by the long PP interval. The PR intervals before and after a single blocked P wave are constant simulating Mobitz type II block. However, type II AVB is ruled out because of sinus slowing consistent with vagally induced AVB. Citation: Barold DC, Barold SS. ECG Simplified. Facts You will Never Forget. San Marcos: Conductivity Press, 2022. Copyright ©The Author(s) 2019. Published by Conductivity Press.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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