PR interval alternans: Difference between revisions

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{{CMG}}
{{CMG}}


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{{SK}} PR alternans
 
'''''Related chapter:''''' [[electrical alternans]]
'''''Related chapter:''''' [[electrical alternans]]


==Overview==
==Overview==
'''Electrical alternans''' is an [[electrocardiogram|electrocardiographic]] phenomenon which describes teh beat to beat alternation in the height (ie.e amplitude), duration (the length of the interval) or the direction (up or down) of any of the EKG complexes or intervals.  While electrical alernans is usually thought of as alternation in the height or direction of the QRS complex, there can also be [[P wave]], [[PR interval]], [[QRS complex]], [[R-R interval]], [[ST segment]], [[T wave]], or [[U wave]] forms of alternans (see classification below).
'''Electrical alternans''' is an [[electrocardiogram|electrocardiographic]] phenomenon which describes the beat to beat alternation in the height (ie. amplitude), duration (the length of the interval) or the direction (up or down) of any of the EKG complexes or intervals.  While electrical alernans is usually thought of as alternation in the height or direction of the QRS complex, there can also be [[P wave]], [[PR interval]], [[QRS complex]], [[R-R interval]], [[ST segment]], [[T wave]], or [[U wave]] forms of alternans (see classification below).


==Historical Perspective==
==Historical Perspective==
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*1910: Elaborated upon by Sir Thomas Lewis
*1910: Elaborated upon by Sir Thomas Lewis
*1948: First description of electrical alternans on the surfce EKG by Kalter and Schwartz <ref>Kalter HH, Schwartz ML. Electrical alternans. NY State J Med. 1948;1:1164-66.</ref>
*1948: First description of electrical alternans on the surfce EKG by Kalter and Schwartz <ref>Kalter HH, Schwartz ML. Electrical alternans. NY State J Med. 1948;1:1164-66.</ref>
*1978: The term ‘pseudoelectrical alternans’ was first described by Klein, Segni and Kaplinsky<ref name="pmid679762">{{cite journal| author=Klein HO, Di Segni E, Kaplinsky E| title=Procainamide-induced left anterior hemiblock of the 2:1 type (pseudoelectrical alternans). | journal=Chest | year= 1978 | volume= 74 | issue= 2 | pages= 230-3 | pmid=679762 | doi=10.1378/chest.74.2.230 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=679762  }}</ref>


==Pathophysiology==
==Pathophysiology==
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When the word alternans is used, the underlying pathophysiology that is most often thought of is alternans due to motion of the heart and its shifting position in relationship to the surface electrodes.  The pathophysiologic mechanism underlying the alternation in the height or amplitude of the [[QRS complex]] is the swinging or shifting or the [[electrical axis of the heart]].  It should be noted that there can also be [[P wave]] and [[T wave]] alternans attributable to the motion of the heart.
When the word alternans is used, the underlying pathophysiology that is most often thought of is alternans due to motion of the heart and its shifting position in relationship to the surface electrodes.  The pathophysiologic mechanism underlying the alternation in the height or amplitude of the [[QRS complex]] is the swinging or shifting or the [[electrical axis of the heart]].  It should be noted that there can also be [[P wave]] and [[T wave]] alternans attributable to the motion of the heart.


While electrical alternans is frequently thought of in association with [[pericardial effusion]], it should be noted that not all pericardial effusions cause electrical alternans, and that total electrical alternans (involving the [[p wave]], [[QRS complex]] and the [[T wave]]) is present in just 5-10% of cases of [[cardiac tamponade]].  
While electrical alternans is frequently thought of in association with [[pericardial effusion]], it should be noted that not all pericardial effusions cause electrical alternans, and that total electrical alternans (involving the [[P wave]], [[QRS complex]] and the [[T wave]]) is present in just 5-10% of cases of [[cardiac tamponade]].Therefore, these ECG findings are poorly diagnostic of pericardial effusion and tamponade as well<ref name="pmid8697827">{{cite journal| author=Eisenberg MJ, de Romeral LM, Heidenreich PA, Schiller NB, Evans GT| title=The diagnosis of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade by 12-lead ECG. A technology assessment. | journal=Chest | year= 1996 | volume= 110 | issue= 2 | pages= 318-24 | pmid=8697827 | doi=10.1378/chest.110.2.318 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=8697827  }}</ref>.  


It is underappreciated that the movement of the heart in [[hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]] can cause electrical altrical alternans as well.
It is underappreciated that the movement of the heart in [[hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]] can cause electrical alternans as well.


===Electrical Alternans Due to Changes in Electrical Conduction of the Heart===
===Electrical Alternans Due to Changes in Electrical Conduction of the Heart===
Electrical laternans can also be due to variation in the velocity of conduction through any of the anatomic structures of the heart.  Usually this variation in the conductivity is caused by a change in [[heart rate]], [[autonomic tone]], [[vagal tone]], or drugs.  At a more fundamental level, the abnormality is thought to be due to changes in calcium handling in the [[sarcoplastic reticulum]].  The following complexes, either alone or in combination, may exhibit electrical alternans due to changes in electrical conduction: the [[P wave]], the [[PR interval]], the [[QRS complex]], or the [[RR interval]]. The appearance of [[QRS alternans]] as part of a narrow complex tachycardia suggests the diagnosis of orthodromic [[atrioventricular (AV) reentrant tachycardia]] which conducts retrograde over an accessory pathway.
Electrical alternans can also be due to variation in the velocity of conduction through any of the anatomic structures of the heart.  Usually this variation in the conductivity is caused by a change in [[heart rate]], [[autonomic tone]], [[vagal tone]], or drugs.  At a more fundamental level, the abnormality is thought to be due to changes in calcium handling in the [[sarcoplastic reticulum]].  The following complexes, either alone or in combination, may exhibit electrical alternans due to changes in electrical conduction: the [[P wave]], the [[PR interval]], the [[QRS complex]], or the [[RR interval]]. The appearance of [[QRS alternans]] as part of a narrow complex tachycardia suggests the diagnosis of orthodromic [[atrioventricular (AV) reentrant tachycardia]] which conducts retrograde over an accessory pathway.


==Causes==
==Causes==
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*[[Atrioventricular reentrant tachycaria]]
*[[Atrioventricular reentrant tachycaria]]
*[[Cardiac tamponade]]
*[[Cardiac tamponade]]
*Drug induced
*[[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]]
*[[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]]
*[[Left ventricular dysfunction]]
*[[Left ventricular dysfunction]]
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*[[Pulmonary embolism]]
*[[Pulmonary embolism]]
*[[Rheumatic heart disease]]
*[[Rheumatic heart disease]]
*Severe asthma exacerbation
*[[Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome]]
*[[Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome]]


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*[[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]]
*[[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]]
*[[Pericardial effusion]]
*[[Pericardial effusion]]
*Severe asthma exacerbation


===Due to Changes in Impulse Conduction===
===Due to Changes in Impulse Conduction===
*[[Atrial fibrillation]]
*[[Atrial fibrillation]]
*[[Atrioventricular reentrant tachycaria]]
*[[Atrioventricular reentrant tachycaria|Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia]]
*Drug induced
*[[Left ventricular dysfunction]]
*[[Left ventricular dysfunction]]
*[[Myocardial contusion]]
*[[Myocardial contusion]]
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The electrical form of alternans should be differentiated from the mechanical form alternans in which case there is alternation of the strength of the pulse as is observed in [[pulsus alternans]].  Electrical and [[mechanical alternans]] may coexist.
The electrical form of alternans should be differentiated from the mechanical form alternans in which case there is alternation of the strength of the pulse as is observed in [[pulsus alternans]].  Electrical and [[mechanical alternans]] may coexist.


== Pseudoelectrical alternans ==
Presence of electrical alternans phenomenon in the absence of pericardial effusion is often termed as Pseudoelectrical alternans.<br />
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}

Latest revision as of 18:27, 31 May 2020

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Synonyms and keywords: PR alternans

Related chapter: electrical alternans

Overview

Electrical alternans is an electrocardiographic phenomenon which describes the beat to beat alternation in the height (ie. amplitude), duration (the length of the interval) or the direction (up or down) of any of the EKG complexes or intervals. While electrical alernans is usually thought of as alternation in the height or direction of the QRS complex, there can also be P wave, PR interval, QRS complex, R-R interval, ST segment, T wave, or U wave forms of alternans (see classification below).

Historical Perspective

  • 1909: First described by Hearing
  • 1910: Elaborated upon by Sir Thomas Lewis
  • 1948: First description of electrical alternans on the surfce EKG by Kalter and Schwartz [1]
  • 1978: The term ‘pseudoelectrical alternans’ was first described by Klein, Segni and Kaplinsky[2]

Pathophysiology

Electrical Alternans Due to Motion of the Heart

When the word alternans is used, the underlying pathophysiology that is most often thought of is alternans due to motion of the heart and its shifting position in relationship to the surface electrodes. The pathophysiologic mechanism underlying the alternation in the height or amplitude of the QRS complex is the swinging or shifting or the electrical axis of the heart. It should be noted that there can also be P wave and T wave alternans attributable to the motion of the heart.

While electrical alternans is frequently thought of in association with pericardial effusion, it should be noted that not all pericardial effusions cause electrical alternans, and that total electrical alternans (involving the P wave, QRS complex and the T wave) is present in just 5-10% of cases of cardiac tamponade.Therefore, these ECG findings are poorly diagnostic of pericardial effusion and tamponade as well[3].

It is underappreciated that the movement of the heart in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can cause electrical alternans as well.

Electrical Alternans Due to Changes in Electrical Conduction of the Heart

Electrical alternans can also be due to variation in the velocity of conduction through any of the anatomic structures of the heart. Usually this variation in the conductivity is caused by a change in heart rate, autonomic tone, vagal tone, or drugs. At a more fundamental level, the abnormality is thought to be due to changes in calcium handling in the sarcoplastic reticulum. The following complexes, either alone or in combination, may exhibit electrical alternans due to changes in electrical conduction: the P wave, the PR interval, the QRS complex, or the RR interval. The appearance of QRS alternans as part of a narrow complex tachycardia suggests the diagnosis of orthodromic atrioventricular (AV) reentrant tachycardia which conducts retrograde over an accessory pathway.

Causes

All Causes in Alphabetical Order

Due to Motion of the Heart

Due to Changes in Impulse Conduction

Differentiating Electrical Alternans form other Disorders

The electrical form of alternans should be differentiated from the mechanical form alternans in which case there is alternation of the strength of the pulse as is observed in pulsus alternans. Electrical and mechanical alternans may coexist.

Pseudoelectrical alternans

Presence of electrical alternans phenomenon in the absence of pericardial effusion is often termed as Pseudoelectrical alternans.

References

  1. Kalter HH, Schwartz ML. Electrical alternans. NY State J Med. 1948;1:1164-66.
  2. Klein HO, Di Segni E, Kaplinsky E (1978). "Procainamide-induced left anterior hemiblock of the 2:1 type (pseudoelectrical alternans)". Chest. 74 (2): 230–3. doi:10.1378/chest.74.2.230. PMID 679762.
  3. Eisenberg MJ, de Romeral LM, Heidenreich PA, Schiller NB, Evans GT (1996). "The diagnosis of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade by 12-lead ECG. A technology assessment". Chest. 110 (2): 318–24. doi:10.1378/chest.110.2.318. PMID 8697827.