[Intracavitary electric stimulation in atrioventricular blocks complicating the acute phase of myocardial infarct. Usefulness and indications].

Admissions to our Coronary Care Unit between 1975 and 1978 were studied. During this period 234 patients with myocardial infarction were admitted and complete A/V block in 50 (21,37%) of them. From our study, 7 patients with transient first degree heart block were excluded. In 23 (53,49%) patients a complete heart block developed within 24 hours of admission. Of the 8 patients with infarction and block who died (16%) 5 patients had an anterior wall myocardial infarction, of which had a PMK treatment; the others 3 cases had an inferior or posterior location and did not need a PMK treatment. We Confirm that high mortality in patients with anterior all myocardial infarction complicated by block is essentially due to the haemodynamic complications and we discuss the indication and the utility of the precautionary stimulation.