Abstract
Objective—To determine the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of patients with paroxysmal palpitations and neck pounding during sinus rhythm. Methods—Clinical, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiological characteristics of six patients with paroxysmal palpitations and neck pounding during sinus rhythm were studied in basal conditions and when symptomatic. Response to treatment was observed. Results—Baseline ECGs were normal (four patients) or had first degree atrioventricular block with intermittent PR shortening. During symptoms, narrow QRS rhythms were seen without visible P waves (three patients) or with P waves partially hidden in the QRS complex (three patients). Dual atrioventricular nodal pathways were found in all five patients who had electrophysiological studies. In these patients the slow pathway conduction time was long enough (mean (SD), 425 (121) ms) for ventricular activation after slow pathway conduction during sinus rhythm to coincide with the next atrial depolarisation, causing neck pounding during exercise (four patients) or at rest (two patients). Tachycardia was not induced in any patient. Medical treatment aggravated symptoms in three patients. A pacemaker was successfully used in two. Conclusions—Neck pounding during sinus rhythm is a clinical manifestation of dual atrioventricular nodal pathways. Medical treatment may aggravate symptoms but a pacemaker may offer definitive relief. Keywords: neck pounding; nodal conduction; palpitations
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Figure 1 .
Lead II and V1 in patient 4 showing PR interval alternans caused by alternating atrioventricular conduction over the slow atrioventricular pathway (PR interval 360 ms) and fast atrioventricular pathway (PR interval 140 ms). Paper speed 25 mm/s.
Figure 2 .
Twelve lead electrocardiogram of patient 2 during complaints of palpitations and neck pounding. A narrow QRS tachycardia of 135 beats/min is seen. P waves that are partially hidden in the terminal part of the QRS complex are present in most leads. The electrical axis of the P waves is compatible with a sinus node origin. Paper speed 25 mm/s.
Figure 3 .
Simultaneous recording of the precordial leads V1 to V6 and bipolar electrograms from the high right atrium (HRA) and the coronary sinus (CS), showing how the atria (A) and ventricles (V) are nearly simultaneously activated during sinus tachycardia at 136 beats/min with atrioventricular conduction over the slow pathway.
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
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