Citation

Harrigan RA, Perron AD, Brady WJ. Am. J. Emerg. Med. 2001; 19(3): 218-222.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1053/ajem.2001.22657

PMID

11326350

Abstract

Atrioventricular (AV) dissociation is an electrocardiographic syndrome; a descriptive term for a variety of conditions of abnormal cardiac conduction which all feature independent function of the atria and ventricles. AV dissociation can be subclassified as AV dissociation by default (an independent ventricular pacemaker responds to slowing of the dominant atrial pacemaker) versus AV dissociation by usurpation (acceleration of a latent pacemaker takes control of cardiac conduction by exceeding the intrinsic atrial rate). Inclusion of third degree AV block (complete heart block) as a manifestation of AV dissociation is controversial, yet is functionally appealing in that this disorder also features independent activity of the atria and ventricles.

Language: en

Keywords

Aged; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Bradycardia; Calcium Channel Blockers; Coronary Disease; Diagnosis, Differential; Digoxin; Electrocardiography; Emergencies; Female; Heart Atria; Heart Block; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Sinoatrial Node; Suicide; Tachycardia, Ventricular