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Characteristics of accessory pathways exhibiting decremental conduction
C J Murdock1, J W Leitch, W S Teo
1Cardiac Investigation Unit, University Hospital, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
The American Journal of Cardiology
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Decremental conduction over accessory pathways is uncommon, affecting 7.6% of patients. Anterograde decremental conduction typically involves right-sided or septal pathways, often lacking retrograde function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Accessory pathways are a common cause of supraventricular tachycardia.
- Decremental conduction is a property of some accessory pathways, influencing their electrophysiologic behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence, electrophysiologic characteristics, and functional significance of decremental conduction in accessory pathways.
- To determine the anatomical locations associated with decremental conduction.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 653 patients with accessory pathways identified during electrophysiologic study.
- Examination of decremental conduction properties in both anterograde and retrograde directions.
Main Results:
- Decremental conduction was identified in 7.6% of patients (50/653).
- Anterograde decremental conduction was predominantly associated with right-sided or septal pathways (14/15).
- Patients with anterograde decremental conduction had longer shortest RR intervals during atrial fibrillation compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Decremental conduction over accessory pathways is an uncommon finding.
- Anterograde decremental conduction is typically associated with right-sided or septal accessory pathways that may not conduct retrogradely.