Changing P-wave morphology: What is the mechanism?

J Electrocardiol. 2017 Jul-Aug;50(4):510-512. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2017.02.005. Epub 2017 Feb 20.

Abstract

A 76-year-old woman, affected by drugs resistant focal atrial tachycardia, underwent a catheter ablation procedure in our Hospital. During ablations we observed on the surface ECG a progressive modification of the second component of the P wave (delayed and then negative in inferior leads). These findings demonstrated, compared to the beginning of the procedure, a different propagation of the activation wave from the right to the left atrium, helped to identify the true origin of a focal atrial tachycardia. Moreover, this case underlined the importance of the Bachmann's bundle for the impulse propagation through the interatrial septum in normal hearts.

Keywords: Advanced interatrial block; Bachmann's bundle; Catheter ablation; Focal atrial tachycardia; P wave morphology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Catheter Ablation*
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Atria / physiopathology*
  • Heart Atria / surgery*
  • Heart Septum / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular / physiopathology*
  • Tachycardia, Supraventricular / surgery*