Dawn's picture

This interesting ECG is a great one for your more advanced students who are ready to discuss the anatomical and physiological differences between the AV blocks, as opposed to just measuring PR intervals.  It shows a sinus rhythm with an atrial rate of 72/minute.  Second-degree AV block causes every other p wave to be blocked, resulting in a pulse rate of 36 beats per minute.  In addition, the ECG shows right bundle branch block, as evidenced by the wide QRS (136 ms), rsR' pattern in V1, and the wide little S wave in Lead I.

When second-degree AVB conducts 2:1, it can sometimes be difficult to determine if the block is Type I (occuring above the Bundle of His), or Type II (occuring at or below the Bundle of His).  This is because two p waves must be conducted in a row to see the tell-tale progressive prolongation of the PR interval seen in Type I (Wenkebach).

Two clues that this block is Type II are:  1) the presence of right bundle branch block.  Type II blocks are sub-Hisian blocks, often in the fascicles, and the right bundle branch block is a fascicle block.  Many Type II AV blocks show signs of right bundle branch block;   2) The non-conducted p waves occur well clear of the refractory periods of the preceding beats.  In Type I blocks, the QRS is eventually dropped because the p wave occurs in the refractory beat of the preceding QRS. Only one beat is missed.  In Type II blocks, p waves that SHOULD have conducted, don't.  Sometimes, more than one p wave in a row will be non-conducted.

Clinically, we would need to be concerned about the location of the block, because supra-Hisian blocks can be transient or even benign, and sub-Hisian blocks are often permanent or progressive.  But the most immediate concern, of course, is that the patient's heart rate has been halved, resulting in a bradycardia which is almost certainly symptomatic.  Also, we would want to evaluate the patient for coronary artery disease and M.I., as that could be the cause of the AV block. This patient has some minor flattening of the ST segments in Lead III, but the T wave inversion can be explained by the RBBB.  Unfortunately, we do not have clinical information on this patient.

 
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ekgpress@mac.com's picture


     Just a few brief comments on this tracing Dawn posted. FIRST  It is not at all easy to make out atrial activity. That said  I believe atrial activity IS regular (See RED arrows at THIS LINK).
  • Thus the atrial rate is regular. The ventricular rhythm is also regular at half the atrial rate. Thus there is 2:1 AV block  with the PR interval preceding each QRS being constant.
  • Therefore, this rhythm represents 2nd-Degree AV Block with 2:1 AV conduction. This is actually a 3rd type of 2nd-Degree AV block  with right to its own classification because you often cannot be certain whether this 2:1 Block represents Mobitz I or Mobitz II.
  • Although Dawn favors Mobitz II  I am not as certain. Yes, the QRS is wide with RBBB morphology (which favors Mobitz II but Mobitz I is MUCH more common  and sometimes, a patient may have preexisting BBB prior to onset of their AV block. In addition: i) the PR interval of conducting beats is long ( ~ 0.24 second with 1st-Degree AV Block being more common with Mobitz I rather than Mobitz II; and ii) there is a hint of ST elevation with T wave inversion in lead III  suggesting recent inferior infarction (and Mobitz I is much more common in association with inferior infarction). Other ST-T wave changes on this tracing are nonspecific.
BOTTOM LINE: I do not think we really know for sure what type of 2nd-Degree AV block this tracing represents. It could be either Mobitz I or Mobitz II. That said  given the low rate ~ 40/minute  Pacing may be needed in any case ...
  • For those wanting thorough Review of the AV Blocks  Please GO TO  www.avblockecg.com


 

Ken Grauer, MD  www.kg-ekgpress.com   [email protected] 

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