What does Atrioventricular block refer to?

Atrioventricular block refers to a disturbance in the electrical signals that travel from the atria to the ventricles of the heart. This condition occurs when there is a delay or interruption in the conduction pathway at the atrioventricular (AV) node, which is crucial for coordinating the electrical activity of the heart.

In a healthy heart, the electrical signals generated by the sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right atrium, travel through the AV node to stimulate the ventricles to contract and pump blood. When a block occurs, it can lead to various degrees of dysfunction, resulting in a slower heart rate or irregular heartbeats, which can severely impact cardiac function.

The other options refer to different cardiac or vascular issues. A rapid heartbeat in the atria is known as atrial tachycardia, not a block. A thickened arterial wall may relate to atherosclerosis or other vascular conditions, but it does not pertain to electrical conduction. Heart valve issues involve problems with the valves that regulate blood flow, rather than conduction pathways. Thus, the correct choice accurately describes the essence of atrioventricular block as it pertains to electrical signal disturbances in heart function.