Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Microelectrode Array Recording of Sinoatrial Node Firing Rate to Identify Intrinsic Cardiac Pacemaking Defects in Mice
Published on: July 5, 2021
First description of neurogenic sinus bradycardia in idiopathic hemifacial spasm
Guangming Zhang1, Guoqiang Chen, Huancong Zuo
1Institute of Neurological Disorder, Yuquan Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100049, China.
Background:
Idiopathic HFS accompanied by NSB is a rare clinical phenomenon and has not been reported before. Here we describe this phenomenon and discuss its mechanism and treatment.
Methods:
Eighteen patients with idiopathic HFS with NSB (HR < or =55 BPM) received MVD operations. Their sinus bradycardia was proved to be neurogenic by a series of examinations. During MVD, all 18 patients were found to have their REZ of facial and vagus nerves or VMO compressed by intracranial arteries. Decompression at REZ of facial and vagus nerves and/or VMO was enforced in MVD operations. Preoperative and postoperative HR and the therapeutic efficacy of MVD for HFS with NSB were recorded.
Results:
Fourteen cases (77.78%) were right-sided HFS. The symptom of facial spasm disappeared in 16 cases and was relieved in 1 case a year after MVD. The mean HR before MVD was 52 +/- 2.81 BPM. The mean HRs 1 week and 1 year after MVD were 63.39 +/- 5.26 and 63.17 +/- 6.46 BPM, respectively, both of which were significantly higher (P < .01) than the preoperative HR.
Conclusions:
Most NSBs occurred in right-sided HFS. Decompression at REZ of facial and vagus nerves and/or VMO simultaneously was an effective treatment of HFS and NSB in HFS accompanied by NSB. Severe artery compression at vagus or VMO might be the cause of NSB in HFS.
Related Concept Videos
Decreased pulse rate
There are specific risk factors that can elevate the likelihood of developing bradycardia. Advanced age is a significant factor, with bradycardia...
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias I: Sinus Arrhythmias
Types of Arrhythmias
Sinus Node Arrhythmias
Sinus Bradycardia: Originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node, sinus bradycardia involves slower impulses, resulting in a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (bpm). Causes include sleep, vagal stimulation, beta-blockers, hypothyroidism, and...
Vascular Spasm
Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's phenomenon, is a...
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...