Volume 14, Issue 3 pp. 316-319

Incessant Supraventricular Tachycardia with Constant 1:2 Atrioventricular Ratio:

A Longitudinally Dissociated Atrioventricular Node?

PAULUS KIRCHHOF , M.D.

PAULUS KIRCHHOF , M.D.

Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany

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PETER LOH , M.D.

PETER LOH , M.D.

Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany

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MICHAEL RIBBING , M.D.

MICHAEL RIBBING , M.D.

Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany

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KRISTINA WASMER , M.D.

KRISTINA WASMER , M.D.

Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany

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First published: 11 April 2003
Citations: 8
Address for correspondence: Paulus Kirchhof, M.D., Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik C-Kardiologie und Angiologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Straße 33, D-48129 Münster, Germany. Fax: 49-251-8347864; E-mail: [email protected]

Manuscript received 26 August 2002; Accepted for publication 14 December 2002.

Abstract

We report a patient with incessant, exercise-limiting supraventricular tachycardia on the ventricular level and a constant 1:2 atrioventricular relation. Careful mapping of the AV nodal region revealed His alternans in the inferior AV nodal area and nonalternating His morphologies in the superior His region. Radiofrequency catheter ablation in the inferior AV node cured the patient (11-month follow-up). Constant dual ventricular activation, His alternans, distinct His morphologies in the superior and inferior His, and long-term suppression of the tachycardia by ablation in the so-called slow pathway region of the AV node are suggestive of permanent dual anterograde AV nodal conduction in this patient. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 316-319, March 2003)

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