[Interatrial block: an under-recognized electrocardiographic diagnosis with important clinical-therapeutic implications]

G Ital Cardiol (Rome). 2014 Oct;15(10):561-8. doi: 10.1714/1672.18308.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Interatrial blocks, characterized by P-wave duration ≥120 ms, are a well described but poorly recognized cardiac rhythm disorder. They are caused by a conduction delay between the right and left atria and occur in pandemic proportions in unselected patients. Interatrial blocks correlate with atrial dysfunction and are a predictor of significant atrial arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation, as well as embolic stroke, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Special attention to this cardiac rhythm disorder is required because of its pathologic implications.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Electrocardiography* / methods
  • Heart Atria / physiopathology*
  • Heart Block / diagnosis*
  • Heart Block / mortality
  • Heart Block / physiopathology*
  • Heart Conduction System / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Sensitivity and Specificity