Complete atrioventricular block during tunneled cuffed hemodialysis catheter insertion in a patient with pre-existing left bundle branch block / 영남의대학술지

ABSTRACT

Arrhythmias are complications of tunneled cuffed hemodialysis catheter insertion. Most complications associated with arrhythmias occur during guide-wire access, where the guide wire can cause traumatic damage to the conduction system of the heart. Conducting system injury in tunneled cuffed hemodialysis catheter insertion often involves the right bundle, causing right bundle branch block (RBBB). Transient RBBB with sinus rhythm is not usually accompanied by abnormal vital signs. However if patients already have left bundle branch block (LBBB), new onset RBBB can cause complete atrioventricular block (AVB), which can lead to fatal complications requiring invasive treatment. We report on a patient with LBBB who developed complete AVB during hemodialysis catheter insertion.