Retrograde dual atrioventricular nodal pathway in patients with atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia using concealed accessory pathways

We present electrophysiological studies in two patients with atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardias. The first patient had anterograde dual atrioventricular nodal pathways with a right-sided concealed accessory pathway. The retrograde atrioventricular nodal pathway showed evidence suggestive of slow pathway properties. After block was induced with ajmaline in the accessory pathway, a typical pattern of discontinuous retrograde atrioventricular nodal conduction curves was recognized. We then observed three types of induced atrioventricular reentry. The other patient had continuous anterograde atrioventricular nodal conduction, a fast-conducting retrograde atrioventricular nodal pathway and a left-sided concealed accessory pathway. After refractoriness had been induced in the accessory pathway with ajmaline, a typical pattern of retrograde dual atrioventricular nodal pathways was recognized, and it proved impossible to induce atrioventricular nodal echoes. Induction of block or impairment of conduction with ajmaline in the concealed accessory pathway proved helpful in the disclosure of retrograde dual atrioventricular nodal pathways by means of the ventricular extrastimulus method.     

房室结双径路合并房室旁路的折返性心动过速及射频消融治疗

目的本研究旨在探讨房室结双径路（ＤＡＶＮＰ）合并房室旁路（ＡＰ）的电生理特征和射频消融要求。方法对２１８例阵发性室上性心动过速（ＰＳＶＴ）进行电生理检查，观察ＰＳＶＴ的前传和逆传途径，然后对ＡＰ或房室结慢径（ＳＰ）进行消融治疗。结果２１８例ＰＳＶＴ中检出ＤＡＶＮＰ＋ＡＰ１０例，检出率为４．６％。其中ＳＰ前传、ＡＰ逆传（ＳＰ－ＡＰ折返）４例，快径（ＦＰ）前传、ＡＰ逆传（ＦＰ－ＡＰ折返）１例，ＳＰ－ＡＰ折返并ＦＰ－ＡＰ折返或ＳＰ／ＦＰ交替前传折返４例，ＳＰ前传、ＦＰ逆传（ＡＰ旁观）１例。１０例患者均作ＡＰ消融，诱发房室结折返性心动过速（ＡＶＮＲＴ）的３例加作ＳＰ消融，术后随访均无复发。结论ＤＡＶＮＰ合并ＡＰ者ＡＰ均作为逆传途径，阻断ＡＰ是消融关键；ＡＰ旁观者也应作ＡＰ消融；仅有ＡＨ跳跃延长者不必接受房室结改良；ＡＰ消融者应作ＤＡＶＮＰ电生理检查。     

Daily variability of electrically induced reciprocating tachycardia in patients with atrioventricular accessory pathways

Sequential bedside electrophysiologic testing was performed over 22 hours at intervals of 1 to 2 hours in 13 patients with left-sided Kent bundles to assess possible daily variations in the capacity to electrically induce reciprocating tachycardia. In all patients the tachycardia involved the accessory pathway in retrograde atrial activation. Between midnight and early morning the more relevant findings with respect to the first testing performed at midday were a significant prolongation of the effective refractory period of the atrial (from 212 +/- 22 msec to 229 +/- 22 msec; p less than 0.01), atrioventricular node (from 235 +/- 22 msec to 285 +/- 15 msec; p less than 0.005), right ventricle (from 209 +/- 15 msec to 221 +/- 12 msec; p less than 0.001), and retrograde Kent bundle (from 278 +/- 34 msec to 294 +/- 24 msec; p less than 0.01) and a reduction of the inducibility of tachycardia from both the coronary sinus from 90% to 50%; p less than 0.001) and the right ventricle from 80% to 15%; p less than 0.001). Thus our results indicate that there exists a nocturnal protection against electrical induction of reciprocating tachycardia that is associated with a prolongation of the atrial, atrioventricular nodal, ventricular, and Kent bundle refractoriness.     

Incessant junctional reciprocating tachycardia caused by dual atrioventricular nodal pathways and atrio-nodal bypass tract.

A case is described with clinical and electrocardiographic findings of incessant junctional reciprocating tachycardia. Electrophysiological study showed that longitudinal dissociation of the atrioventricular node into two pathways was responsible for the maintenance of the arrhythmia. The two intranodal pathways had different refractory periods but reciprocally related and overlapping conduction times (anterograde fast, retrograde slow, and vice versa). Induction and termination of the arrhythmia was related to the presence of a partial atrio-nodal bypass tract.     

Characterizing dual atrioventricular nodal physiology in pediatric patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia

INTRODUCTION: Dual atrioventricular (AV) nodal physiology, defined as an AH jump > or =50 msec with a 10 msec decrease in A1A2, is the substrate for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and yet it is present in a minority of pediatric patients with AVNRT. Our objective was to characterize dual AV nodal physiology as it pertains to a pediatric population. METHODS/RESULTS: We retrospectively reviewed invasive electrophysiology studies in 92 patients with AVNRT (age12.1 +/- 3.7 yrs) and in 46 controls without AVNRT (age 13.3 +/- 3.7 yrs). Diagnoses in controls: syncope (N = 31), palpitations (N = 6), atrial flutter (N = 3), history of atrial tachycardia with no inducible arrhythmia (N = 3), and ventricular tachycardia (N = 3). General anesthesia was used in 49% of AVNRT and 52% of controls, P = 0.86. There were no differences in PR, AH, HV, or AV block cycle length. With A1A2 atrial stimulation, AVNRT patients had a significantly longer maximum AH achieved (324 +/- 104 msec vs 255 +/- 67 msec, P = 0.001), and a shorter AVNERP (276 +/- 49 msec vs 313 +/- 68 msec P = 0.0005). An AH jump > or =50 msec was found in 42% of AVNRT versus 30% of controls (P = 0.2). Using a ROC graph we found that an AH jump of any size is a poor predictor of AVNRT. With atrial overdrive pacing, PR > or = RR was seen more commonly in AVNRT versus controls, (55/91(60%) vs 6/46 (13%) P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Neither the common definition of dual AV nodes or redefining an AH jump as some value <50 msec are reliable methods to define dual AV nodes or to predict AVNRT in pediatric patients. PR > or = RR is a relatively good predictor of AVNRT.     

Value of the 12-lead electrocardiogram in discriminating atrioventricular nodal reciprocating tachycardia from circus movement atrioventricular tachycardia utilizing a retrograde accessory pathway

The value of the 12-lead electrocardiogram for distinguishing atrioventricular (AV) nodal reciprocating tachycardia from circus movement AV tachycardia utilizing a retrograde accessory pathway was studied in 100 patients with narrow QRS complex tachycardia. Intracardiac electrograms showed AV nodal reciprocating tachycardia in 40 patients and circus movement AV tachycardia in 60. The 12-lead electrocardiograms recorded during tachycardia were randomly sorted and reviewed by 4 experienced cardiac electrophysiologists who were blinded to the diagnosis associated with each tracing, the relative proportion of each arrhythmia and the hypotheses to be tested. Each reviewer was asked to indicate the location of the P wave relative to the QRS complex, electrical axis of the P wave in the frontal and horizontal planes and presence or absence of QRS alternation, and to interpret the most likely mechanism. The performance of published electrocardiographic criteria to differentiate AV nodal reciprocating tachycardia from circus movement AV tachycardia was evaluated. The overall accuracy of the reviewers' interpretations was 75%, similar to the accuracy of the predefined criteria when applied by these observers (71% correct, difference not significant). Interobserver agreement of reviewer interpretations was 76% and the intraobserver agreement was 78%. Features associated with circus movement AV tachycardia by univariable analysis were P waves after the QRS complex, faster tachycardia rates and QRS alternation. Multivariable analysis showed that only the location of the P wave relative to the QRS complex was independently associated with the mechanism of tachycardia (p = 0.002). QRS alternation was found by multivariate analysis to be associated with the rate but not the mechanism of the tachycardia.     

Differentiating atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia from tachycardia via concealed accessory pathway

Studies analyzing the diagnostic value of 12-lead electrocardiographic criteria differentiating slow-fast atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) from atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) due to concealed accessory pathway have shown inconsistent results. In 97 patients (50 with AVNRT, 47 with AVRT) 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded during sinus rhythm and tachycardia (QRS <120 ms). The ECGs were blinded for diagnosis and patient and analyzed independently by 2 electrophysiologists. The studied criteria differentiating AVNRT from AVRT included pseudo-r'/S, the presence of a retrograde P wave, RP interval, ST-segment depression >/=2 mm with the number and location of the affected leads, QRS amplitude, and cycle length alternans.     

Catheter ablation of accessory pathways and atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia

Radiofrequency current catheter ablation has gained acceptance as primary long-term therapy for patients with symptomatic accessory pathways and symptomatic atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with frequent recurrences. In both arrhythmias, curative treatment is possible in more than 90% of cases at a low complication rate although an incidence of about 1% complete AV block after slow pathway ablation has to be taken into account when this therapy is considered. The recurrence rate is 3-10% for accessory pathways and 0-15% for AVNRT. The high success rate of catheter ablation has already led to a shift in the indications for the procedure where the percentage of patients with accessory pathways is decreasing and there is an increase of patients with AVNRT and newer indications (atrial flutter, focal atrial tachycardias).     

Demonstration of dual atrioventricular nodal pathways utilizing a ventricular extrastimulus in patients with atrioventricular nodal re-entrant paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

In patients with atrioventricular (A-V) nodal re-entrant paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), atrial extrastimulus technique frequently reveals discontinuous A1-A2, H1-H2 curves suggestive of dual A-V nodal pathways. To further test the hypothesis that these curves in fact reflect dual A-V nodal pathways, a ventricular extrastimulus (VS) was coupled either to A2 at a fixed A1-A2 interval which reliably produced an A-V nodal re-entrant atrial echo (E) with a constant A2-E interval in two patients, or to QRS complex (V) during sustained PSVT with a constant E-E interval in one patient. Three response zones were defined: at longer A2-VS or V-VS coupling interval, VS manifested no effect on the timing of E (Zone 1). At closer A2-VS or V-VS coupling interval, VS conducted to the atrium, shortening the apparent A2-E or E-E interval (Zone 2). At shortest A2-VS or V-VS coupling interval, VS was blocked retrogradely, and no E was induced (Zone 3). The ability of VS to preempt control of the atria (Zone 2 response) strongly suggests the presence of dual A-V nodal pathways in these PSVT patients. If only a single pathway were present, VS would of necessity collide with the antegrade impulse and could not reach the atria. The Zone 3 response occurs because of retrograde refractoriness of the fast pathway. Failure of the echo during Zone 3 probably reflects concealed conduction to the fast pathway, or possibly interference in the slow pathway.     

Retrograde block during dual pathway atrioventricular nodal reentrant paroxysmal tachycardia

There are limited reported data regarding the occurrence of retrograde block during dual pathway atrioventricular (A-V) nodal reentrant paroxysmal tachycardia. This study describes two patients with this phenomenon. The first patient had 2:1 and type 1 retrograde ventriculoatrial block during the common variety of A-V nodal reentrance (slow pathway for anterograde and fast pathway for retrograde conduction). Fractionated atrial electrograms suggested that the site of block was within the atria. The second patient had type 1 retrograde block (between the A-V node and the low septal right atrium) during the unusual variety of A-V nodal reentrance (stow pathway for retrograde and fast pathway for anterograde conduction). The abolition of retrograde block by atropine suggested that the site of block was within A-V nodal tissue. Both cases demonstrate that intact retrograde conduction is not necessary for the continuation of A-V nodal reentrant paroxysymal tachycardia. Case 2 supports the hypothesis that the atria are not a requisite part of the A-V nodal reentrant pathway.     

Determinants of tachycardia induction using ventricular stimulation in dual pathway atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia

Factors determining tachycardia induction using ventricular stimulation in atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia utilizing the slow pathway for anterograde and the fast pathway for retrograde conduction were analyzed in 53 patients. Sixteen patients had tachycardia induced by ventricular stimulation. In 15, tachycardia was inducible with incremental ventricular pacing. In 4 of these 15 patients, the tachycardia was also induced with V1V2 testing, while in 11 patients, the tachycardia was not induced with V1V2 testing. In 9 of the latter 11 patients, tachycardia could be induced with V1V2V3 testing, suggesting that the retrograde effective refractory period (ERP) of the right bundle (RB) or the relative refractory period of the His-Purkinje system (HPS) was the limiting factor for tachycardia induction during V1V2 testing. In the remaining one patient, tachycardia was induced with V1V2V3 testing, which provoked a premature ventricular beat, leading to tachycardia induction. Tachycardia was not induced by ventricular stimulation in 37 patients. Factors deterring tachycardia induction in these patients may be related to the retrograde ERP or functional refractory period (FRP) of the HPS, the retrograde ERP of the fast pathway, and an insufficient conduction delay of the circuit (retrograde fast and anterograde slow pathway) to allow anterograde conduction of the slow pathway. In conclusion, AV nodal reentrant tachycardia can be induced by ventricular stimulation in approximately 30% of patients with incremental ventricular pacing and/or ventricular extrastimulus testing. Induction of tachycardia with ventricular stimulation, nevertheless, is frequently limited by the retrograde FRP or ERP of the HPS, the retrograde ERP of the fast pathway, and possibly by an insufficient conduction delay of the circuit.     

房室结折返性心动过速慢径消融终点与复发的关系

目的:观察房室结折返性心动过速(AVNRT)的慢径消融终点与复发的联系。方法:534个慢-快型AVNRT患者行慢径消融治疗,观察A型终点(彻底消融慢径,房室结无跳无折)和B型终点(残留慢径有或无1～3心房回波,不能诱发AVNRT)与AVNRT复发的联系及对房室结传导的影响。结果:①A型复发5例(1.2%),B型复发11例(9.4%),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。②A型终点房室结前传文氏周期(Wen-AVN)、快径前传有效不应期和房室结双径路(DAVNP)的跳跃增值缩短,B型快径前传有效不应期和房室结双径路的跳跃增值缩短,A型有效不应期的缩短明显大于B型。结论:A型终点的复发率明显低于B型终点;只要改变房室传导功能,不能诱发心动过速,B型终点仍然是有效、可靠的消融终点。     

Electrocardiographic differentiation of typical atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia from atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia mediated by concealed accessory pathway in children

The value of the electrocardiogram (ECG) in children with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is unclear. The noninvasive differentiation of typical atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) mediated by concealed accessory pathway conduction is clinically important, as it helps in counseling and potentially facilitates ablation procedures. One hundred forty-eight ECGs showing narrow QRS complex SVT were obtained from children before successful radiofrequency catheter ablation. An initial 102 ECGs were analyzed by 3 blinded observers to assess the utility of various electrocardiographic findings. No electrocardiographic criteria were found to discriminate between SVT mechanisms on 1- to 3-channel Holter/event recorder tracings (n = 32); their interpretation mainly (55%) resulted in an incorrect SVT diagnosis. On 12-lead ECGs (n = 70), the 2 arrhythmias were accurately diagnosed in 76% of patients; 5 findings were found to be discriminators of tachycardia mechanism. Predictors of AVRT were visible P waves in 74% of cases (sensitivity 92%; specificity 64%), RP intervals of > or =100 ms in 91% (sensitivity 84%; specificity 91%), and ST-segment depression of > or =2 mm in 73% of cases (sensitivity 52%; specificity 82%). Pseudo r' waves in lead V(1) and pseudo S waves in the inferior leads during tachycardia predicted AVNRT in 100% of cases (sensitivity 55% and 20%, respectively; specificity 100% for both). Based on these results, we developed a new diagnostic 12-lead electrocardiographic algorithm for pseudo r'/S waves, RP duration, and ST-segment depression during tachycardia. Two observers tested the algorithm in 46 (21 AVNRT; 25 AVRT) additional cases; they correctly diagnosed the SVT mechanism in 91% and 87%, respectively. Thus, the stepwise use of diagnostically relevant 12-lead electrocardiographic parameters helps to more accurately differentiate mechanisms of reentrant SVT.