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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Microelectrode Array Recording of Sinoatrial Node Firing Rate to Identify Intrinsic Cardiac Pacemaking Defects in Mice
Published on: July 5, 2021
Resting sinus heart rate and first degree av block: modifiable risk predictors or epiphenomena?
Rakesh Gopinathannair1, Brian Olshansky
1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. rakesh-gopinathannair@uiowa.edu
Abstract:
Simple and cost-effective tools that identify patients at increased risk for adverse cardiovascular events are actively sought. High resting sinus heart rate and first degree AV block are easily recognized and commonly encountered findings in a cardiology practice. A growing body of epidemiological and clinical evidence has been shown them to be independent predictors of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, both in the general population and in patients with structural heart disease. This paper reviews the important role of heart rate and first degree AV block in predicting cardiovascular outcomes, examines the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this increased risk, and discusses the effectiveness of available therapies to favorably modify these risk factors.
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