86-year-old Mr. Phat was recently diagnosed with a severe blockage in his right coronary artery, caused by atherosclerotic plaque. This resulted in arrhythmia, causing his heart rate to drop as low as 29 beats per minute and jump up to 99 beats per minute. The medical team at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, led by Director Huynh Ngoc Long, performed a Rotablator diamond drill procedure to smooth the plaque and place a stent in the narrowed vessel.
After the intervention, Mr. Phat’s artery was dilated optimally without any blockages causing myocardial ischemia. His chest pain subsided, and his heart rate stabilized at 55-60 beats per minute. However, he continued to be monitored and treated to control the atrioventricular block and avoid complications.
Atrioventricular block (AVB) is a common cause of heart problems that can lead to chest pain and stroke-like symptoms. It occurs when there is an interruption in the electrical pathways between the upper and lower chambers of the heart, causing it to beat irregularly or not at all. The most common causes of AVB include fibrosis, degeneration of conduction pathways, and myocardial ischemia. Treatment options depend on the severity of the condition and may include observation, medication, or temporary/permanent pacemaker implantation.
Factors that increase the risk of AVB include age, hypertension, diabetes, inactivity, obesity, smoking, and other underlying health conditions. To prevent AVB, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, sufficient sleep, stress reduction techniques like meditation or yoga
