Idioventricular rhythm: Difference between revisions
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==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
===Life Threatening Causes=== | ===Life Threatening Causes=== | ||
Life-threatening | Idioventricular rhythm is a life-threatening condition and must be treated as such irrespective of the causes. Life-threatening conditions can result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated. | ||
* [[Acute myocardial infarction]] | * [[Acute myocardial infarction]] | ||
Revision as of 23:36, 26 August 2013
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Synonyms and keywords: IVR
Overview
Normally, the pacemaker of the heart that is responsible for triggering each heart beat (ventricular contraction) is the SA (Sino Atrial) node. However, if the ventricle does not receive triggering signals at a rate high enough, the ventricular myocardium itself becomes the pacemaker (escape rhythm). This is called Idioventricular Rhythm. Ventricular signals are transmitted cell-to-cell between cardiomyocytes and not by the conduction system, creating wide sometimes bizarre QRS complexes(> 0.12 sec). The rate is usually 20-40 bpm. If the rate is >40 bpm, it is called accelerated idioventricular rhythm. The rate of 20-40 is the "intrinsic automaticity" of the ventricular myocardium. It can be regarded as a "backup plan" or "redundancy" built into the body.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Idioventricular rhythm is a life-threatening condition and must be treated as such irrespective of the causes. Life-threatening conditions can result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.