Advanced A-V block with apparent A-V junctional escape complexes because of dual A-V nodal pathways

We report a patient with second degree A-V block in whom several sinus impulses were conducted over the slow A-V nodal pathway, resulting in P-R intervals so prolonged to suggest a diagnosis of intermittent advanced A-V block with A-V junctional escape complexes. However, the "escape" cycles were markedly irregular, and moreover, "escape" complexes often occurred with R-R cycles shorter than those ended by conducted sinus beats. These observations suggested that no escape mechanism was present. The marked variability of P-R intervals was a manifestation of dual A-V nodal pathways: short P-R intervals expressed conduction over the fast pathway, whereas long P-R intervals corresponded to sinus impulses conducted over the slow pathway.