Complete Atriculoventricular Block Following Valve Surgery Under Extracorporeal Circulation in Adults: Incidence and Risk Factors

Abstract

This single-center retrospective study conducted in Senegal in 2023 aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) following valve surgery under extracorporeal circulation in adults. Among the 51 included patients, the incidence of postoperative CAVB was high, reaching 19.6%. The study population was young (mean age 36.4 years) and predominantly female, presenting mainly with rheumatic valvulopathies. No statistically significant risk factors were identified, although a trend was observed for prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times in patients with CAVB. The majority of blocks (90%) proved to be reversible, recovering either spontaneously or with corticosteroid therapy. Only one patient (10% of CAVB cases) required permanent pacemaker implantation. No deaths were reported. This complication is frequent in this Senegalese context but often transient. The absence of classic risk factors highlights the need for prospective multicenter studies to better identify predictive factors and standardize management protocols in this specific context.