P Wave and the Substrates of Arrhythmias Originating in the Atria

The sinus node is the primary cardiac pacemaker from which the wavefront of activation proceeds through bundles of atrial fibers to the atrioventricular node. Left atrial activation proceeds along the Bachmann bundle and lower right atrium, determining P-wave morphology. Electrocardiogram reveals ectopic or retrograde atrial activation, wandering pacemaker activity, or artificial pacemaker-mediated atrial depolarization. Vectorcardiography and transesophageal recording are complementary methods. Atrial anatomic structure and automatic cells outside the sinus node constitute the mechanisms of focal and reentrant atrial arrhythmias. Arrhythmias with specific arrhythmogenic mechanisms correspond to precise electrocardiographic morphology for accurate diagnosis.