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Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias01:18

Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias

Bradyarrhythmias are cardiac rhythm disorders characterized by a slower-than-normal heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute. Some of which are discussed here:Sinus BradycardiaSinus bradycardia presents a heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute, with a regular rhythm originating from the SA node. The ECG typically shows normal P waves preceding each QRS complex, a normal PR interval (0.12 to 0.20 seconds), and a normal QRS duration (0.06 to 0.10 seconds).First-Degree AV...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers01:24

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers

Adrenergic stimulation generally impacts cardiac rate and rhythm. Specifically, stimulation of the β-adrenoceptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium ion influx and pacemaker currents, which may cause arrhythmias. Catecholamines like adrenaline also demonstrate β2-adrenoceptor-mediated hypokalemia, impacting cardiac action potential and disrupting the normal cardiac rhythm. Class II antiarrhythmic drugs are β-adrenoceptor antagonists or β-blockers, which indirectly block calcium...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers01:12

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers

Class III antiarrhythmic drugs are a group of medications that can prolong action potentials in the heart. They achieve this by blocking potassium channels or enhancing inward currents from sodium channels. However, these drugs have a unique property of "reverse use-dependence," which is most pronounced at slower heart rates and can lead to torsades de pointes—a specific type of arrhythmia. However, it is essential to note that excessive QT interval prolongation—a measure of the heart's...
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:29

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers01:22

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers

Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are used to treat various types of arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms. These drugs block the sodium (Na+) channels in the cardiac cells, thereby affecting the movement of electrical impulses across the heart. Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are divided into three subgroups: Class IA, Class IB, and Class IC, each with distinct mechanisms of action and effects on the heart.
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

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Interatrial block in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Adrian Baranchuk1, Brendan Parfrey, Leonard Lim

  • 1Kingston General Hospital, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. barancha@kgh.kari.net

Cardiology Journal
|March 25, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Older age and moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) predict interatrial block (IAB). Increased P-wave dispersion in OSA patients may explain atrial arrhythmias.

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Published on: June 29, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Electrocardiography

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects 5% of North American adults and is linked to atrial arrhythmias and stroke.
  • The underlying mechanisms connecting OSA and these cardiovascular conditions are not fully understood.
  • Interatrial block (IAB) is a potential factor in the pathophysiology of atrial arrhythmias.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify factors associated with interatrial block (IAB) in patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
  • To investigate the relationship between OSA severity and electrocardiographic parameters indicative of IAB.

Main Methods:

  • 180 patients referred for polysomnography were analyzed.
  • Sleep apnea severity was quantified using the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).
  • 12-lead ECGs were used to measure P-wave duration and dispersion, with IAB defined as P-wave duration ≥ 120 ms.

Main Results:

  • Moderate-severe OSA (AHI > 30) was present in 144 patients.
  • Interatrial block (IAB) was significantly more prevalent in patients with moderate-severe OSA (34.7%) compared to controls (0%).
  • Older age and an AHI > 30 were independent predictors of increased P-wave duration, and P-wave dispersion was higher in the severe OSA group.

Conclusions:

  • Moderate-to-severe OSA and older age are significant predictors of interatrial block (IAB).
  • P-wave dispersion is elevated in patients with moderate-to-severe OSA.
  • These findings suggest that IAB may contribute to the increased risk of atrial arrhythmias observed in OSA patients.