AV Block: 2nd degree AV block, Mobitz II (Hay Block)
Intermittent non-conducted P waves without progressive prolongation of the PR interval (compare this to Mobitz I).
- Intermittent non-conducted P waves without progressive prolongation of the PR interval (compare this to Mobitz I).
- The PR interval in the conducted beats remains constant.
- The P waves ‘march through’ at a constant rate.
- The RR interval surrounding the dropped beat(s) is an exact multiple of the preceding RR interval (e.g. double the preceding RR interval for a single dropped beat, treble for two dropped beats, etc).
ECG Example of Mobitz II
Mechanism
- Mobitz II is usually due to failure of conduction at the level of the His-Purkinje system (i.e. below the AV node).
- While Mobitz I is usually due to a functional suppression of AV conduction (e.g. due to drugs, reversible ischaemia), Mobitz II is more likely to be due to structural damage to the conducting system (e.g. infarction, fibrosis, necrosis).
- Patients typically have a pre-existing LBBB or bifascicular block, and the 2nd degree AV block is produced by intermittent failure of the remaining fascicle (“bilateral bundle-branch block”).
- In around 75% of cases, the conduction block is located distal to the Bundle of His, producing broad QRS complexes.
- In the remaining 25% of cases, the conduction block is located within the His Bundle itself, producing narrow QRS complexes.
- Unlike Mobitz I, which is produced by progressive fatigue of the AV nodal cells, Mobitz II is an “all or nothing” phenomenon whereby the His-Purkinje cells suddenly and unexpectedly fail to conduct a supraventricular impulse.
- There may be no pattern to the conduction blockade, or alternatively there may be a fixed relationship between the P waves and QRS complexes, e.g. 2:1 block, 3:1 block.
Causes of Mobitz II
- Anterior MI (due to septal infarction with necrosis of the bundle branches).
- Idiopathic fibrosis of the conducting system (Lenegre’s or Lev’s disease).
- Cardiac surgery (especially surgery occurring close to the septum, e.g. mitral valve repair)
- Inflammatory conditions (rheumatic fever, myocarditis, Lyme disease).
- Autoimmune (SLE, systemic sclerosis).
- Infiltrative myocardial disease (amyloidosis, haemochromatosis, sarcoidosis).
- Hyperkalaemia.
- Drugs: beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin, amiodarone.
Clinical Significance
- Mobitz II is much more likely than Mobitz I to be associated with haemodynamic compromise, severe bradycardia and progression to 3rd degree heart block.
- Onset of haemodynamic instability may be sudden and unexpected, causing syncope (Stokes-Adams attacks) or sudden cardiac death.
- The risk of asystole is around 35% per year.
- Mobitz II mandates immediate admission for cardiac monitoring, backup temporary pacing and ultimately insertion of a permanent pacemaker.
Related Topics
- AV block: 1st degree
- AV block: 2nd degree, Mobitz II
- AV block: 2nd degree, “fixed ratio blocks” (2:1, 3:1)
- AV block: 2nd degree, “high grade AV block”
- AV block: 3rd degree (complete heart block)
- Eponymythology: History of Second-degree AV block.
- Eponym: Karel Frederik Wenckebach (1864 -1940). LITFL 2018
- Eponym: Woldemar Mobitz (1889 – 1951). LITFL 2018
- Eponym: John Hay (1873 – 1959). LITFL 2018
LITFL Further Reading
- ECG Library Basics – Waves, Intervals, Segments and Clinical Interpretation
- ECG A to Z by diagnosis – ECG interpretation in clinical context
- ECG Exigency and Cardiovascular Curveball – ECG Clinical Cases
- 100 ECG Quiz – Self-assessment tool for examination practice
- ECG Reference SITES and BOOKS – the best of the rest
Advanced Reading
- Brady WJ, Truwit JD. Critical Decisions in Emergency and Acute Care Electrocardiography
- Surawicz B, Knilans T. Chou’s Electrocardiography in Clinical Practice: Adult and Pediatric
- Wagner GS. Marriott’s Practical Electrocardiography 12e
- Chan TC. ECG in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care
- Rawshani A. Clinical ECG Interpretation
- Mattu A. ECG’s for the Emergency Physician
- Hampton JR. The ECG In Practice, 6e
ECG LIBRARY
Electrocardiogram
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