First-degree AV block is almost universally without associated symptoms. Patients will frequently be unaware of the condition until it appears on routine electrocardiography. Upon recognition of the PR interval prolongation, a thorough history should be obtained, with a specific focus on any history of congenital or acquired heart disease, risk factors for heart disease, family history of cardiac disease, the presence of neuromuscular disease, or family history of neuromuscular disease. In higher-grade first-degree block (PR interval greater than 0.30 seconds), patients may develop symptoms similar to pacemaker syndrome: dyspnea, malaise, lightheadedness, chest pain, or even syncope due to poor synchronization of atrial and ventricular contractions.[8] With the delay in ventricular contraction, patients will experience discomfort as the atria contracts against closed atrioventricular valves. Similarly, the physical exam will typically be normal, and there are no common physical exam findings suggestive of first-degree AV block. It is sensible to conduct a general assessment for signs of cardiac diseases, such as auscultation for murmurs or additional heart sounds, palpation for JVD and peripheral edema, and a skin evaluation for cyanosis, clubbing, or other signs of chronic cardiac disease.

A PR interval of greater than 0.20 seconds on a surface ECG, without associated disruption of atrial to ventricular conduction, is diagnostic of first-degree AV block. When the clinician identifies this on ECG, they should query patients about the presence of pre-existing heart disease (acquired or congenital) and family history of heart disease. Patients with heart disease or with a family history of heart disease warrant investigation for organic causes of the PR interval prolongation.[9] In otherwise asymptomatic patients, further diagnostic evaluation may not be necessary. In symptomatic patients, those with associated prolongation of the QRS interval and those with associated heart disease, referral for more invasive electrophysiologic studies may be indicated, which will help identify the location of the conduction delay.[1]

For the majority of patients with first-degree AV block, there is no need for treatment. The American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines do not recommend permanent pacemaker placement for patients with first-degree AV block, with the exception of patients with PR interval greater than 0.30 seconds who are experiencing symptoms believed to be due to the AV block.[10] These symptoms are similar to those noted above and are frequently due to asynchrony of the atria and ventricles. Additionally, patients with first-degree AV block and coexisting neuromuscular disease or a prolonged QRS interval may also be candidates for pacemaker placement.

In patients with AV block related to myocardial infarction (MI), pacemaker placement may be indicated, but is often delayed to determine if the AV block is transient as the patient recovers from the MI. There is no indication for antiarrhythmic medication for first-degree AV block. In the absence of symptoms, patients do not require treatment beyond surveillance to assess for worsening AV block. This surveillance may be done with routine ECGs, and further investigation is rarely indicated if there is no worsening of the PR interval prolongation. Although generally believed to be a benign condition, cohort studies have shown that patients with first-degree AV block have a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation, pacemaker placement, and all-cause mortality than patients with normal PR intervals. At this time it is unknown if this is because first-degree AV block is more common in patients with organic heart disease or if first-degree AV block is a pathologic condition, prone to progress to higher-grade blocks, even in the absence of concomitant heart disease.[11][12][9]

• Atrioventricular block
• Atrioventricular dissociation
• Second-degree AV block
• Third-Degree AV block

Isolated first-degree heart block was initially thought to have a benign prognosis, as it has no direct clinical consequences. Patients with this condition demonstrate no direct symptomatology. The Framingham Study revealed that patients with prolonged PR intervals or first-degree heart block had twice the risk of developing atrial fibrillation and were three times more likely to require a pacemaker.[7]

While first-degree heart block is usually asymptomatic and an incidental EKG finding, patients should have routine follow-up monitoring to ensure the condition does not progress to worse cardiac conduction issues. Patients can generally lead a normal, symptom-free life absent any progression of the condition.

Patients often require no treatment first first-degree heart block. They should receive counseling on symptoms associated with worsening heart block, such as:

• Dizziness or fainting
• The feeling of a "missed" beat
• Chest pain
• Dyspnea or shortness of breath
• Unexplained nausea
• Easily fatigued

First-degree AV block is generally asymptomatic and therefore well-tolerated. Studies show that as patients with this condition age, they become more likely to develop associated rhythm disturbances such as atrial fibrillation or high-degree AV blocks. Therefore, close observation of patients with known first-degree AV block is indicated as they advance in age or if they develop coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular disease, or another potentially-complicating condition.

First-degree heart block is often an incidental finding on the ECG. The majority of patients may have no symptoms. Because these patients may present to almost any medical or surgical specialty, an understanding and management of this benign heart disorder is necessary by all healthcare workers. The prognosis for patients with first-degree heart block is excellent. Progression to a second-degree heart block is very rare. For those who have acquired Lyme-induced heart block, the condition usually resolves spontaneously in 2-10 days. While first-degree heart block has always been considered to be a benign disorder, epidemiological data from the Framingham study suggest that it may be associated with atrial arrhythmias, need for pacemaker implantation and all-cause mortality.[7] The condition does not appear to be benign in the presence of a depressed ejection fraction, heart failure or systolic dysfunction. When the condition is diagnosed by a primary care provider or nurse practitioner, an appropriate referral should be made to a cardiologist who can determine the extent and/or need for further workup. [3][1](Level V)