Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

What ECG rhythm is this

12 lead ecg shows 2 p waves within a PR  interval of .24 seconds. The p waves are different shapes--the first p wave is normal shape,  the second p wave is smaller and a little more peaked. But the p waves are very distinct. The patient does not have an av block or atrial flutter or atrial tach. The pattern is consistent through the 12 lead. The patient has no known cardiac history.
5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Is there a picture of the strip or 12-lead?  My first thought would be some sort of artifact.  It's hard to answer though without actually seeing it.  Are you sure that both are p waves and not the t wave and p wave?  Another thought would be regular nonconducted PACs.
Helpful - 0
995271 tn?1463924259
I think this may have been someone studying for a certification exam.  I see these academic-style questions pop up on here once in a while.

The is written just like a cert or board exam question stem.  

"The patient has no known cardiac history." tells me this isn't about the poster.

I'm troubled by it when I see it because if this is how the person figures things out (basically cheating) they probably have poor diagnostic skills.  I'm sorry to the original poster if I'm wrong, please do correct me if that's the case.
Helpful - 0
1398166 tn?1358870523
There are no Doctors here. Maybe PhD's in French History or Physics. My daughter is as qualified as anybody here. She knows everything and likes Justin Timberlake.

I advise you ask your Doc.
Helpful - 0
1124887 tn?1313754891
Sorry, I meant to say "the terminal part of the P wave would be markedly negative in V1".
Helpful - 0
1124887 tn?1313754891
Hello.

I've never heard about such a rhythm, unfortunately (but I'm not a healthcare professional).

At PR .24 seconds, the patient has an AV block (1st degree). He could suffer an intra-atrial conduction disturbance or an enlarged left atrium, but if so, the P wave would usually be markedly negative in V1. In other words a biphasic P wave.

Do the P and the P' wave have similar axis? If so, maybe you are seeing a biphasic P wave (as mentioned above). I strongly doubt the case is an ectopic P wave (atrial bigeminy) so close to the normal P wave. As mentioned, I have never heard about depolarizations happening before the QRS complex, and if it happened, it would very likely trigger atrial fibrillation.

Sorry I can't provide a better answer. Maybe you should ask an MD.

Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Heart Rhythm Community

Top Arrhythmias Answerers
1807132 tn?1318743597
Chicago, IL
1423357 tn?1511085442
Central, MA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
Salt in food can hurt your heart.
Get answers to your top questions about this common — but scary — symptom
How to know when chest pain may be a sign of something else
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.