Aa
pr intervels
my 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with having a short pr interval is this life threatening in a child of this age .one doctor seemed rather concerned by this but others do not seem to think so . I am getting mixed messages and am rather confused and worried as you could understand .will she need to be on any medication for this or do they operate to rectify this .she is going to York Hill Hospital to be put on the tread mill within the next few weeks to try and find out what is going on, but as you will understand that to me seems miles away and suppose i wnt to be able to understand what is going on. i hope you can help me understand this yours an anxious mother
This discussion is related to short pr interval.
This discussion is related to short pr interval.
I wasn't finished before the above was posted to continue,
QUOTE:
" How do you know if the short PR interval is a normal one or whether it is dangerous. I might add that 6 months ago I had an ECG done and the short PR interval was not there then. Do you know if it can rectify itself without an ablation".
For good electrical conduction (passage of impulses to activate chamber contraction is a timely manner), requires a balance of electrolytes in the blood stream. If there is hypokelemia ( low potassium level) or hypocalcemia (low calcium level), electrical conduction is affected and supplements to establish a normal level of electrolytes can correct the problem.
IF EKG that is postive for PR interval abnormality that would require further evidence of WPW, and that would be a shorten pPR interval...but requires further evidence!
For an insight into WPW: In a normal heart, conduction of electrical signals use only one path when they move through the heart. As the electrical signal moves from the heart's upper chambers (the atria) to the lower chambers (the ventricles), it causes the heart to beat. For the heart to beat properly, the timing of the electrical signal is important. A shortened PR interval on an EKG would be an indication. It's recognized by certain changes on the electrocardiogram, which is a graphical record of the heart's electrical activity. The ECG will show that an extra pathway or shortcut exists from the atria to the ventricles.
If there's an extra conduction pathway, the electrical signal may arrive at the ventricles too soon. This condition is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). It's in a category of electrical abnormalities called "pre-excitation syndromes."
Many people with this syndrome who have symptoms or episodes of tachycardia (rapid heart rhythm) may have dizziness, chest palpitations, fainting or, rarely, cardiac arrest. Other people with WPW never have tachycardia or other symptoms. About 80 percent of people with symptoms first have them between the ages of 11 and 50.
People without symptoms usually don't need treatment. People with episodes of tachycardia can often be treated with medication. But sometimes such treatment doesn't work. Then they'll need to have more tests of their heart's electrical system. One episode of tachycardia shouldn't be treated with ablation as medication may be sufficient.
If ablation is necessary it is the most common procedure used to interrupt the abnormal pathway with radiofrequency or catheter ablation. In this, a flexible tube called a catheter is guided to the place where the problem exists. Then that tissue is destroyed with radiofrequency energy, stopping the electrical pathway. Successful ablation ends the need for medication. Whether a person will be treated with medication or with an ablation procedure depends on several factors. These include the severity and frequency of symptoms, risk for future arrhythmias and patient preference.
What is the heart's normal condition?
In a normal heart, electrical signals use only one path when they move through the heart. This is the atrio-ventricular or A-V node. As the electrical signal moves from the heart's upper chambers (the atria) to the lower chambers (the ventricles), it causes the heart to beat. For the heart to beat properly, the timing of the electrical signal is important.
What is the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?
If there's an extra conduction pathway, the electrical signal may arrive at the ventricles too soon. This condition is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). It's in a category of electrical abnormalities called "pre-excitation syndromes."
It's recognized by certain changes on the electrocardiogram, which is a graphical record of the heart's electrical activity. The ECG will show that an extra pathway or shortcut exists from the atria to the ventricles.
Many people with this syndrome who have symptoms or episodes of tachycardia (rapid heart rhythm) may have dizziness, chest palpitations, fainting or, rarely, cardiac arrest. Other people with WPW never have tachycardia or other symptoms. About 80 percent of people with symptoms first have them between the ages of 11 and 50.
How is this syndrome treated?
People without symptoms usually don't need treatment. People with episodes of tachycardia can often be treated with medication. But sometimes such treatment doesn't work. Then they'll need to have more tests of their heart's electrical system.
The most common procedure used to interrupt the abnormal pathway is radiofrequency or catheter ablation. In this, a flexible tube called a catheter is guided to the place where the problem exists. Then that tissue is destroyed with radiofrequency energy, stopping the electrical pathway. Successful ablation ends the need for medication. Whether a person will be treated with medication or with an ablation procedure depends on several factors. These include the severity and frequency of symptoms, risk for future arrhythmias and patient preference.
QUOTE:
" How do you know if the short PR interval is a normal one or whether it is dangerous. I might add that 6 months ago I had an ECG done and the short PR interval was not there then. Do you know if it can rectify itself without an ablation".
For good electrical conduction (passage of impulses to activate chamber contraction is a timely manner), requires a balance of electrolytes in the blood stream. If there is hypokelemia ( low potassium level) or hypocalcemia (low calcium level), electrical conduction is affected and supplements to establish a normal level of electrolytes can correct the problem.
IF EKG that is postive for PR interval abnormality that would require further evidence of WPW, and that would be a shorten pPR interval...but requires further evidence!
For an insight into WPW: In a normal heart, conduction of electrical signals use only one path when they move through the heart. As the electrical signal moves from the heart's upper chambers (the atria) to the lower chambers (the ventricles), it causes the heart to beat. For the heart to beat properly, the timing of the electrical signal is important. A shortened PR interval on an EKG would be an indication. It's recognized by certain changes on the electrocardiogram, which is a graphical record of the heart's electrical activity. The ECG will show that an extra pathway or shortcut exists from the atria to the ventricles.
If there's an extra conduction pathway, the electrical signal may arrive at the ventricles too soon. This condition is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). It's in a category of electrical abnormalities called "pre-excitation syndromes."
Many people with this syndrome who have symptoms or episodes of tachycardia (rapid heart rhythm) may have dizziness, chest palpitations, fainting or, rarely, cardiac arrest. Other people with WPW never have tachycardia or other symptoms. About 80 percent of people with symptoms first have them between the ages of 11 and 50.
People without symptoms usually don't need treatment. People with episodes of tachycardia can often be treated with medication. But sometimes such treatment doesn't work. Then they'll need to have more tests of their heart's electrical system. One episode of tachycardia shouldn't be treated with ablation as medication may be sufficient.
If ablation is necessary it is the most common procedure used to interrupt the abnormal pathway with radiofrequency or catheter ablation. In this, a flexible tube called a catheter is guided to the place where the problem exists. Then that tissue is destroyed with radiofrequency energy, stopping the electrical pathway. Successful ablation ends the need for medication. Whether a person will be treated with medication or with an ablation procedure depends on several factors. These include the severity and frequency of symptoms, risk for future arrhythmias and patient preference.
What is the heart's normal condition?
In a normal heart, electrical signals use only one path when they move through the heart. This is the atrio-ventricular or A-V node. As the electrical signal moves from the heart's upper chambers (the atria) to the lower chambers (the ventricles), it causes the heart to beat. For the heart to beat properly, the timing of the electrical signal is important.
What is the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?
If there's an extra conduction pathway, the electrical signal may arrive at the ventricles too soon. This condition is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). It's in a category of electrical abnormalities called "pre-excitation syndromes."
It's recognized by certain changes on the electrocardiogram, which is a graphical record of the heart's electrical activity. The ECG will show that an extra pathway or shortcut exists from the atria to the ventricles.
Many people with this syndrome who have symptoms or episodes of tachycardia (rapid heart rhythm) may have dizziness, chest palpitations, fainting or, rarely, cardiac arrest. Other people with WPW never have tachycardia or other symptoms. About 80 percent of people with symptoms first have them between the ages of 11 and 50.
How is this syndrome treated?
People without symptoms usually don't need treatment. People with episodes of tachycardia can often be treated with medication. But sometimes such treatment doesn't work. Then they'll need to have more tests of their heart's electrical system.
The most common procedure used to interrupt the abnormal pathway is radiofrequency or catheter ablation. In this, a flexible tube called a catheter is guided to the place where the problem exists. Then that tissue is destroyed with radiofrequency energy, stopping the electrical pathway. Successful ablation ends the need for medication. Whether a person will be treated with medication or with an ablation procedure depends on several factors. These include the severity and frequency of symptoms, risk for future arrhythmias and patient preference.
The PR interval may be unusually short when conduction is rapid. A mildly short PR interval may be seen with hypokalemia or hypocalcemia. An artificially-short PR interval occurs when the QRS complex begins early, as happens with an extra conducting bundle — Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW).
SA Node:Initiates a normal rhythmic electrical activity. Wave of depolarization moves through the atria. The SA node is very small and its electrical activity is not seen on the ECG. A P wave is seen when the atria depolarize.
AV Node:Delays electrical activity before it proceeds into the ventricles. This normal delay allows time for the atria to depolarize when the ventricles are still in diastole.
Junctional Bundle:Conducts impulse from atria into the ventricles. Electrical impulse travels into ventricular conduction system via the Junctional bundle and down the bundle branches.
Purkinje fibers enter the myocardial cells and conduct the electrical impulses throughout the ventricles
***A PR interval that is <0.12 sec (when associated with a prolonged QRS) should prompt evaluation for Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW).***
SA Node:Initiates a normal rhythmic electrical activity. Wave of depolarization moves through the atria. The SA node is very small and its electrical activity is not seen on the ECG. A P wave is seen when the atria depolarize.
AV Node:Delays electrical activity before it proceeds into the ventricles. This normal delay allows time for the atria to depolarize when the ventricles are still in diastole.
Junctional Bundle:Conducts impulse from atria into the ventricles. Electrical impulse travels into ventricular conduction system via the Junctional bundle and down the bundle branches.
Purkinje fibers enter the myocardial cells and conduct the electrical impulses throughout the ventricles
***A PR interval that is <0.12 sec (when associated with a prolonged QRS) should prompt evaluation for Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW).***
Hi
I am hoping that you may be able to clear something up for me as I have found that you replied to another person with a short PR and seem quite knowlegable. I have been diagnosed with a short PR interval after one attack of atrial fibrillation 6 weeks ago. I have not had it sine but had had two ecgs done and they both show the short PR. I have been told that I will need an ablation but what I dont understand is why when I have only had one episode of a racing heart. Should I be asking the cardiologist other questions. How do you know if the short PR interval is a normal one or whether it is dangerous. I might add that 6 months ago I had an ECG done and the short PR interval was not there then. Do you know if it can rectify itself without an ablation.
Many thanks
Yorkshire Terrier
I am hoping that you may be able to clear something up for me as I have found that you replied to another person with a short PR and seem quite knowlegable. I have been diagnosed with a short PR interval after one attack of atrial fibrillation 6 weeks ago. I have not had it sine but had had two ecgs done and they both show the short PR. I have been told that I will need an ablation but what I dont understand is why when I have only had one episode of a racing heart. Should I be asking the cardiologist other questions. How do you know if the short PR interval is a normal one or whether it is dangerous. I might add that 6 months ago I had an ECG done and the short PR interval was not there then. Do you know if it can rectify itself without an ablation.
Many thanks
Yorkshire Terrier
An EKG is not a very reliable source and is only an aid as evidence for a diagnosis and viewed only with other clinical evidence and symptoms.
PR is a time interval on an EKG tracing that records the discharge of electrical impulse of atrium circuit and the beginning of the charge of the ventricle circuit. With other evidence there could be a rhythm problem with early repolariztion.
More likely it is a normal variant and of no significance. An echo can confirm the heart walls are of normal dimension and wall movement is not impaired.
PR is a time interval on an EKG tracing that records the discharge of electrical impulse of atrium circuit and the beginning of the charge of the ventricle circuit. With other evidence there could be a rhythm problem with early repolariztion.
More likely it is a normal variant and of no significance. An echo can confirm the heart walls are of normal dimension and wall movement is not impaired.
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