Alternating reversed wenckebach periodicity: Concealed electrotonic conduction as a possible mechanism☆

Abstract

Electrocardiograms were taken from a 67-year-old man with 2:1 atrioventricular block in whom alternating reversed Wenckebach periodicity was found. Long PR intervals of alternately conducted P waves progressively shortened until an alternate P wave was blocked. After an alternate P wave was blocked, the next alternate P wave was conducted to the ventricles with a markedly long PR interval. Then long PR intervals of alternately conducted P waves progressively shortened again until an alternate P wave was blocked. This is the first report on alternating reversed Wenckebach periodicity. It seems that concealed electrotonic conduction of alternately blocked impulses occurred as a possible mechanism.

Keywords: Reversed Wenckebach periodicity, concealed electrotonic conduction, 2:1 atrioventricular block, alternating Wenckebach periodicity

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Article Outline

• Abstract

• References

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References

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* Katoh Cardiovascular Clinic, Ohtsu

† School of Human Services, Hokkaidou Women's University, Ebetsu

‡ Department of Cardiology

§ Central Laboratory, Ohtsu Municipal Hospital, Ohtsu; Japan

☆ Reprint requests: Takakazu Katoh, MD, Katoh Cardiovascular Clinic, Taishogun 3-Chome 8-16, Ohtsu, 520-2145, Japan.

PII: S0022-0736(03)50002-4

doi:10.1054/jelc.2003.50010

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