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Third degree atrioventricular block is considered present when none of the atrial impulses are conducted to the ventricles because of a disruption in the conducting system. Third degree atrioventricular block is usually considered a serious sign but most studies have been performed on hospitalized patients or certain professional groups. The objective of this study was to find the prevalence of third degree atrioventricular block in a representative population sample and estimate its prognostic significance. ⋯ The prevalence of third degree atrioventricular block in this general population was low but nevertheless considerably higher than previously reported. The block was temporary in the majority of subjects. All had some underlying heart disease which seemed to affect the prognosis more than the heart block. In this survey fewer subjects than expected were found to need a pacemaker.
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Muscle relaxants have been used during anesthesia for the past 50 years but in the last decades it has been realised that their use can lead to complications. Studies have shown 20-40% incidence of restcurarization in postanesthesia care units (PACU) even if neuromuscular monitors are used during anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to estimate the frequency of postoperative muscle weakness at the Reykjavik Hospital in Iceland. ⋯ The study shows that the incidence of muscle weakness is too high, which might increase the risk for complications such as hypoxia or respiratory failure. To increase patient safety, shorter acting drugs are recommended and the use of new nervestimulators giving the train-of-four(TOF)-ratio during muscle blockade could possibly improve the situation.