Wandering pacemaker
Encyclopedia
In cardiology
, a wandering pacemaker is an atrial arrhythmia that occurs when the natural cardiac pacemaker
site shifts between the SA node, the atria
, and/or the AV node. This shifting of the pacemaker from the SA node to adjacent tissues is identifiable on ECG Lead II by morphological changes in P waves; sinus beats have smooth upright P waves, while atrial beats have flattened, notched, or diphasic P-waves.
Ventricular conduction is normal with wandering pacemaker, and thus the QRS is normal.
Wandering pacemaker is usually caused by varying vagal tone. With increased vagal tone the SA Node slows,allowing a pacemaker in the atria or AV Nodal area,which may become slightly faster briefly. After vagal tone decreases the SA Node assumes its natural pace.
It is often seen in the very young, very old and in athletes, and rarely causes symptoms or requires treatment.
Cardiology
Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart . The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology...
, a wandering pacemaker is an atrial arrhythmia that occurs when the natural cardiac pacemaker
Pacemaker
An artificial pacemaker is a medical device that uses electrical impulses to regulate the beating of the heart.Pacemaker may also refer to:-Medicine:...
site shifts between the SA node, the atria
Atria
Atria may refer to:*Atrium , an anatomical structure of the heart*Atrium , a large open space within a building*Atria or Alpha Trianguli Australis, a star in the constellation Triangulum Australe...
, and/or the AV node. This shifting of the pacemaker from the SA node to adjacent tissues is identifiable on ECG Lead II by morphological changes in P waves; sinus beats have smooth upright P waves, while atrial beats have flattened, notched, or diphasic P-waves.
Ventricular conduction is normal with wandering pacemaker, and thus the QRS is normal.
Wandering pacemaker is usually caused by varying vagal tone. With increased vagal tone the SA Node slows,allowing a pacemaker in the atria or AV Nodal area,which may become slightly faster briefly. After vagal tone decreases the SA Node assumes its natural pace.
It is often seen in the very young, very old and in athletes, and rarely causes symptoms or requires treatment.