Which clinical intervention is indicated for complete heart block?

Which clinical intervention is indicated for complete heart block?

• A. Defibrillator
• B. Pacemaker
• C. Coronary Revascularization
• D. No Intervention

Answer: (B)

When atrial impulses fail to conduct to the ventricles, the ventricles rely on a slow escape rhythm that often causes marked bradycardia and inadequate perfusion. A pacemaker is the appropriate intervention because it provides regular electrical stimulation to the heart, maintaining an adequate heart rate and, if given in a dual-chamber configuration, preserving coordination between atrial and ventricular contractions. In the acute setting, temporary pacing can bridge to a permanent device. Other options don’t address the underlying conduction block: a defibrillator is for shockable tachyarrhythmias, not bradycardia; revascularization may treat ischemia but does not fix the conduction block unless ischemia is the cause and resolves; doing nothing leaves the patient at risk for syncope or worse.

When atrial impulses fail to conduct to the ventricles, the ventricles rely on a slow escape rhythm that often causes marked bradycardia and inadequate perfusion. A pacemaker is the appropriate intervention because it provides regular electrical stimulation to the heart, maintaining an adequate heart rate and, if given in a dual-chamber configuration, preserving coordination between atrial and ventricular contractions. In the acute setting, temporary pacing can bridge to a permanent device. Other options don’t address the underlying conduction block: a defibrillator is for shockable tachyarrhythmias, not bradycardia; revascularization may treat ischemia but does not fix the conduction block unless ischemia is the cause and resolves; doing nothing leaves the patient at risk for syncope or worse.