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This editorial discusses the mechanisms underlying normal and ectopic beats and the clinical significance of asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmias in healthy persons.
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An editorial discussing the mechanisms and clinical significance of asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmias in healthy individuals.
Editorials15 December 1992Asymptomatic Ventricular Arrhythmias in Healthy Persons: Smoke or Smoke Screen?Arthur J. Moss, MDArthur J. Moss, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-117-12-1053 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptDuring the past decade, considerable progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms underlying the origin of normal and ectopic beats (1-3). In addition to intrinsic sinus node automaticity, latent automatic foci exist throughout the heart, especially in the atrioventricular node and the ventricular His-Purkinje system, to provide a safety net for back-up intrinsic rhythms should the sinus node fail. These latent pacemakers may accelerate in normal hearts and may appear as ectopic beats and rhythms. The electrical conducting network within the myocardium exhibits complex spatial geometry with a potential for re-entrant conduction (4). In addition, neuroendocrine factors, mediated mostly...References1. Brown H. Electrophysiology of the sinoatrial node. Physiol Rev. 1982;62:505-30. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. AnumonwoFreemanKwokKass JLWR. Potassium channels in the heart: Electrophysiology and pharmacologic regulation. Cardiovascular Drug Rev. 1991;9:299-316. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. GaranFallonRosenthalRuskin HJSJ. Endocardial, intramural, and epicardial activation patterns during sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in late canine myocardial infarction. Circ Res. 1987;60:879-96. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. RobertsHershScher DLA. Influence of cardiac fiber orientation on wavefront voltage, conduction velocity and tissue resistivity in the dog. Circ Res. 1979;44:701-12. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Moss A. 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Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, NY 14642 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByOutcomes of patients hospitalized to a telemetry unit 15 December 1992Volume 117, Issue 12Page: 1053-1054KeywordsArrhythmiaHeartMuscular dystrophiesMyocardiumPacemakersSafety Issue Published: 15 December 1992 PDF DownloadLoading ...
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Arthur J. Moss (1992) conducted an editorial in Asymptomatic Ventricular Arrhythmias. This editorial discusses the mechanisms underlying normal and ectopic beats and the clinical significance of asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmias in healthy persons.
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