title: Atrioventricular dissociation.
abstract: Atrioventricular (AV) dissociation is an electrocardiographic syndrome; a descriptive term for a variety of conditions of abnormal cardiac conduction which all feature independent function of the atria and ventricles. AV dissociation can be subclassified as AV dissociation by default (an independent ventricular pacemaker responds to slowing of the dominant atrial pacemaker) versus AV dissociation by usurpation (acceleration of a latent pacemaker takes control of cardiac conduction by exceeding the intrinsic atrial rate). Inclusion of third degree AV block (complete heart block) as a manifestation of AV dissociation is controversial, yet is functionally appealing in that this disorder also features independent activity of the atria and ventricles.
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Harrigan
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Perron
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Brady
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000633:toxicity; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004077:Digoxin / Q000633:toxicity; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006327:Heart Block / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012849:Sinoatrial Node / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013405:Suicide; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004077:Digoxin