This strip shows a second-degree AV block.  During most of the strip, 2:1 conduction is present.  At the beginning, however, two consecutive p waves are conducted, revealing progressive prolongation of the PR interval.  This usually represents a Type I , or nodal, block:  progressive refractoriness of the AV node.   However, the wide QRS ( possibly left bundle branch block), and the fact that the non-conducted p waves are "out in the open" where they should have conducted, points to Type II - an intermittant tri-fascicular block. Wenckebach periods in patients with LBBB can be caused by progressive conduction delay in the right bundle branch.

This ECG is from an 80-year-old woman who had an acute inferior wall M.I. with a second-degree AV block.
 
Some people incorrectly call ALL second-degree AV blocks that are conducting 2:1 "Type II".  This is incorrect, as Mobitz Type I can also conduct with a 2:1 ratio.  The progressive prolongation of the PR interval will not be seen with a 2:1 conduction ratio, because there are not two PR intervals in a row.

This is a good example of a Type I, or Wenckebach, block which is initially conducting 2:1.  At the end of the ECG, two consecutive p waves conduct, showing the "progressively-prolonging PR interval" hallmark of a Type I block. Type I blocks are supraHisian - at the level of the AV node - and generally not life-threatening.  Blocks that are conducting 2:1 present a danger, however, in the effect they have on the rate.  Whatever the underlying rhythm is, the 2:1 block will cut the rate in half!  This patient has an underlying sinus tachycardia at 106, so her block has caused a rate of 53.  In light of her acute M.I., that rate is probably preferable to the sinus tach. This patient’s BP remained stable, and she did not require pacing. 

The ST signs of acute M.I. are rather subtle here. Note the "coving upward" shape in Lead III, and the reciprocal depressions in I, aVL, V1, and V2.  Type I blocks are common in inferior wall M.I., since the AV node and the inferior wall often share a blood supply - the right coronary artery. 

While the print quality of this ECG is not the best, it is a great teaching ECG because it starts out with 2:1 conduction, then at the end of the strip, proves itself to be a Wenckebach block.   

This series of strips was donated by Arnel Carmona, and was taken from a patient admitted to the hospital for a urinary tract infection.  No other history is known.   On close examination of this rhythm what do we see?

Strip 1:   Narrow-complex tachycardia with NO apparent P waves.

Strip 2:   Some irregularity, with long regular groups and still NO P waves.

Strips 3 & 4:  Grouped beating.

Strip 5:   A narrow-complex rhythm that is approximately ½ the rate of Strip 1. 

When grouped beating is seen, one should always suspect Wenckebach conduction.  Wenckebach conduction (progressively longer conduction times through the A-V conduction system) can occur in rhythyms other than sinus rhythm.  Without P waves and PR intervals, GROUPED BEATING is our major clue to Wenckebach conduction. 

This patient has an underlying atrial fibrillation – hence no P waves.  Fine fibrillatory waves can be seen, but artifact can cause the same appearance.  So, why is there no irregular irregularity?  There is another rhythm at work here along with the atrial fibrillation.  Junctional tachycardia is seen in Strip 1.  When two tachycardias coexist, one from above the AV junction, and one from below, the rhythm can be called a “double tachycardia”.  This particular combination often happens in patients with digitalis toxicity. 

In some cases, a complete heart block at the level of the atrial conduction fibers or the AV node causes  two rhythms to operate independently.  Any supraventricular rhythm, including atrial fib, can occur with a complete heart block, in which case we would see an “escape” rhythm.  Escape rhythms are usually slow, either idiojunctional (40-60 bpm) or idioventricular (< 40 bpm).  

 Let’s look at each of the strips in detail.  We will begin with the hypothesis that this is atrial fibrillation with concurrent junctional tachycardia at around 150 bpm.  I will include laddergrams to illustrate my view of what is happening.