Sinoatrial arrest pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Sinoatrial arrest (also known as sinus arrest or sinus pause) is a medical condition wherein the sinoatrial node of the heart transiently ceases to generate the electrical impulses that normally stimulate the myocardial tissues to contract and thus the heart to beat. It is defined as lasting from 2.0 seconds to several minutes.
Pathophysiology
In sinoatrial arrest, the SA node is not generating electrical complexes due to impairment of automaticity. In patients with sinus arrest, the pause is more frequently associated with either an atrial or an AV junctional escape rhythm. If associated with sick sinus syndrome, lower pacemakers are impaired as well, therefore it can present as a complete absence of electrical activity on EKG.