A 68-year-old man presents after syncope with profound bradycardia. The ECG shows a very slow ventricular rate with high-grade AV block. The reflex move is to focus only on pacing,…
Key Points Pacemaker syndrome is a hemodynamic problem caused by loss of proper atrioventricular (AV) synchrony. Most commonly occurs with ventricular pacing that produces retrograde atrial activation, but can also…
Key Points Ventricular pacing changes depolarization, so ST–T segments often look “abnormal.” Expect appropriate discordance: ST/T deflect opposite the main QRS polarity. RV pacing (most common) ≈ LBBB pattern: wide…
Key Points PACs are early atrial depolarizations from an ectopic focus that create a premature P wave with a different morphology and axis than the sinus P wave, usually followed…
Key Points Defined by a PR interval >200 ms with consistent 1:1 AV conduction and no dropped QRS complexes. Conduction delay is most often at the AV node; His–Purkinje delay…
Key Points PJCs are premature impulses from ectopic foci in or near the AV junction. ECG hallmark is a narrow premature beat with an absent or retrograde P wave. Retrograde…
Key Points Definition: early ectopic atrial beats that do not conduct to the ventricles. You see a premature P wave with no following QRS and a pause that is usually…
Key Points Premature complexes are early depolarizations arising from the atrium, AV junction, or ventricle which interrupt the expected sinus rhythm. Rapid classification by origin: look for a P wave…
Key Points PVCs are early ventricular depolarizations that produce a wide QRS with secondary ST-T changes and are usually followed by a full compensatory pause. No preceding P wave. A…
Key Points Definition: Delay/block within the left bundle’s fascicles—left anterior (LAF) or left posterior (LPF)—alters ventricular activation and the QRS axis. Types: LAFB (common) → left axis deviation; LPFB (rare)…
Key Points Mechanism: Block in the left anterior fascicle → ventricular activation proceeds down the left posterior fascicle, then spreads inferior-to-superior and right-to-left across the LV. ECG signature: Left axis…
Key Points Mechanism: Block in the left posterior fascicle → LV activates mainly via the left anterior fascicle, spreading superior-to-inferior toward the inferior/posterior LV. ECG signature: Right axis deviation (RAD)…
Key Points AV block specifically reflects delayed or failed impulse conduction from atria to ventricles. Classification of blocks depend on the location of conduction delay or block within the cardiac…
Key Points Idiopathic reentrant VT arising within the left Purkinje system, most often the left posterior fascicle. Patients are usually young and lack structural heart disease. Signature ECG: RBBB-like morphology…
Key Point BBs and CCBs are widely prescribed but overdoses can cause life-threatening bradycardia, AV block, hypotension, and shock. Differentiating between them is important, but both require early recognition, aggressive…
Key Points Definition: A type of AV dissociation in which sinus and escape rates are nearly identical, so P waves and QRS complexes appear to “track” each other while remaining unrelated….
Key Points: Definition: Third-degree AV block is complete failure of conduction from atria to ventricles, resulting in independent atrial and ventricular activity—known as AV dissociation. Hallmark Feature: No P waves…
Key Points Definition: A severe form of second-degree AV block with two or more consecutive non‑conducted P waves (for example 3:1, 4:1). Do not force a Mobitz label when multiple…
Key Points Definition: Progressive PR interval prolongation until one atrial impulse fails to conduct to the ventricles (P wave is non-conducted), after which the cycle repeats. Site of Block: Typically…
Key Points Definition: A form of second-degree AV block in which every other atrial impulse is blocked, producing a 2:1 atrioventricular conduction ratio. Typing Limitation: Differentiating between Mobitz I and…