What is the mechanism responsible for constant or variable short P-R intervals with normal or aberrant QRS complexes?
This study provides early clinical and experimental evidence that accelerated A-V nodal conduction causes short P-R intervals, contributing to the foundational understanding of A-V nodal dysfunction.
Seven clinical cases with electrocardiographic patterns of constant or variable short P-R interval are reported. The QRS complex was either normal or aberrant. These abnormalities were reproduced experimentally in dogs by the injection of various drugs into the region of the A-V node. The theories advanced to explain these phenomena are discussed. The results indicate that accelerated A-V nodal conduction is responsible for the short P-R interval. The form of the ventricular complex may be dependent upon synchronous or asynchronous activity of the A-V node. A classification of A-V nodal dysfunction is presented.
Borduas et al. (Sat,) studied this question.
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