Outcomes in congenital and childhood complete atrioventricular block: A meta‐analysis

Background The long‐term outcomes of patients with congenital and childhood complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB/CAVB) after pacemaker implantation are unclear. Methods We performed a meta‐analysis of all the studies of CCAVB. A systematic search of PubMed and CENTRAL databases from January 1, 1967 to January 31, 2020 was performed. The quality of studies included was critically appraised using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale, and outcome data were analyzed using the restricted maximum likelihood function. Results Twenty‐nine studies were eligible for analysis, with a total of 1553 patients. The all‐cause‐mortality was 5.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.5%–9.9%), while pacing‐induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) was seen in 3.8% (95% CI: 1.2–7.2). Diagnosis at birth (effect size [ES] [95%CI]: −2.23 [−0.36 to −0.10]; p