AV Block

I am a 62 year old male and a 5 year survivor of a quadruple bypass. During sleep, I occassionally awake gasping for breath. I have been diagnosed from the evidence of a Halter monitor and an event recorder with a second degree AV block. 200mg of theophylline before bedtime has been prescribed to increase the A-V conduction. Is there clinical evidence for the efficacy of this prescription? Are there other alternative pharmacological interventions? The theophylline seems to be interfering with normal sleep.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Usually second degree AV block does not cause symptoms.  If symptoms are developing then a pacemaker is indicated.  Be sure other things like heart failure or sleep apnea are not causing your symptoms.