Ectopic atrial rhythm: Difference between revisions
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{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}} | {{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}} | ||
==Overview== | |||
Ectopic atrial rhythms occur when the impulses for the atria to beat are generated in the wrong area. This results in p waves on the [[electrocardiogram]] which differ from the normal appearance of p waves. The rate usually remains at less than 100 beats per minute. | |||
==Electrocardiogram== | ==Electrocardiogram== | ||
# There is a different [[P wave]] morphology than in [[ | # There is a different [[P wave]] morphology than in [[normal sinus rhythm]] ([[NSR]]) | ||
# The sinus rate is < 100 beats per minute | # The sinus rate is < 100 beats per minute | ||
# The rhythm is called an accelerated atrial rhythm when the rate is faster than the patient's own NSR but < 100 beats per minute. | # The rhythm is called an accelerated atrial rhythm when the rate is faster than the patient's own NSR but < 100 beats per minute. | ||
=== | ===EKG Examples=== | ||
Shown below is an EKG showing ectopic atrial rhythm. In this example, the [[sinus node]] stopped pacing due to [[ischemia]] during an [[atrial infarction]]. The [[P wave]] is positive in I, negative in III and | Shown below is an EKG showing ectopic atrial rhythm. In this example, the [[sinus node]] stopped pacing due to [[ischemia]] during an [[atrial infarction]]. The [[P wave]] is positive in [[Electrocardiogram#Limb|lead I]], and negative in [[Electrocardiogram#Limb|III]], and [[Electrocardiogram#Augmented limb|aVF]]. The atrial [[pacemaker]] is thus situated at the bottom of the right atrium, close to the [[AV node]]. | ||
[[File:Ectopic Atrial Rhythm 1.png|500px|center]] | [[File:Ectopic Atrial Rhythm 1.png|500px|center]] | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
* [http://0-www.nhlbi.nih.gov.innopac.up.ac.za:80/health/dci/Diseases/ekg/ekg_what.html National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Diseases and Conditions Index] | * [http://0-www.nhlbi.nih.gov.innopac.up.ac.za:80/health/dci/Diseases/ekg/ekg_what.html National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Diseases and Conditions Index] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Electrophysiology]] | [[Category:Electrophysiology]] | ||
[[Category:Cardiology]] | [[Category:Cardiology]] | ||
[[Category:Arrhythmia]] | |||
{{WikiDoc Help Menu}} | {{WikiDoc Help Menu}} | ||
{{WikiDoc Sources}} | {{WikiDoc Sources}} | ||
Latest revision as of 21:22, 20 August 2013
| Ectopic atrial rhythm | |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
Ectopic atrial rhythms occur when the impulses for the atria to beat are generated in the wrong area. This results in p waves on the electrocardiogram which differ from the normal appearance of p waves. The rate usually remains at less than 100 beats per minute.
Electrocardiogram
- There is a different P wave morphology than in normal sinus rhythm (NSR)
- The sinus rate is < 100 beats per minute
- The rhythm is called an accelerated atrial rhythm when the rate is faster than the patient's own NSR but < 100 beats per minute.
EKG Examples
Shown below is an EKG showing ectopic atrial rhythm. In this example, the sinus node stopped pacing due to ischemia during an atrial infarction. The P wave is positive in lead I, and negative in III, and aVF. The atrial pacemaker is thus situated at the bottom of the right atrium, close to the AV node.
Copyleft images obtained courtesy of ECGpedia, http://en.ecgpedia.org
External Links
References
- Hammill S. C. Electrocardiographic diagnoses: Criteria and definitions of abnormalities, Chapter 18, MAYO Clinic, Concise Textbook of Cardiology, 3rd edition, 2007 ISBN 0-8493-9057-5