Nationwide trends and disparities in deaths from second- or third-degree atrioventricular block (1999-2022): A 24-year retrospective analysis of CDC WONDER data.

Background: AV block prevalence increases with age: first-degree affects 6 % of adults over 60 with low mortality, second-degree is more serious, and third-degree, though rare (0.02 % in the U.S.), has a 37 % five-year survival rate if untreated. Analyzing mortality trends in second- or third-degree AV blocks in the U.S. is vital for treatment and identifying at-risk populations. Methodology: We analyzed death certificates from the CDC WONDER database (1999-2022) for second- and third-degree AV Block (ICD-10 codes I44.1 and I44.2) in individuals aged 25 and older. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and annual percent change (APC) were calculated by year, sex, age, race/ethnicity and geographics. Results: Between 1999 and 2022, 54,420 deaths were reported in patients with second- or third-degree AV block. The AAMR increased from 12.8 to 14.9, with a significant rise from 2013 to 2022 (APC: 7.26; 95 % CI: 6.13 to 9.96; Conclusions: Mortality from second- and third-degree AV block has increased since 1999, particularly in the last decade, with higher rates in men, older adults, NH American Indian or Alaska Native individuals, and non-metropolitan areas, highlighting the need for further research to address these disparities.