Alternating reversed wenckebach periodicity: Concealed electrotonic conduction as a possible mechanism
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Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Modeling Biological Membranes with Circuit Boards and Measuring Electrical Signals in Axons: Student Laboratory Exercises
Published on: January 18, 2011
Takakazu Katoh1, Shinji Kinoshita, Yoshinori Tsujimura
1Katoh Cardiovascular Clinic, Ohtsu; dagger School of Human Services, Hokkaidou Women's University, Ebetsu, Japan.
Abstract:
Electrocardiograms were taken from a 67-year-old man with 2:1 atrioventricular block in whom alternating reversed Wenckebach periodicity was found. Long PR intervals of alternately conducted P waves progressively shortened until an alternate P wave was blocked. After an alternate P wave was blocked, the next alternate P wave was conducted to the ventricles with a markedly long PR interval. Then long PR intervals of alternately conducted P waves progressively shortened again until an alternate P wave was blocked. This is the first report on alternating reversed Wenckebach periodicity. It seems that concealed electrotonic conduction of alternately blocked impulses occurred as a possible mechanism.
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