title: [Normal and abnormal atrial activation. An update with special reference to surface electrocardiogram].
abstract: Surface electrocardiogram is commonly used to evaluate the normal and abnormal activation of the atria. Interatrial conduction appears as the most important factor determining P wave duration and morphology during sinus rhythm. A good estimation of the interatrial conduction time can be obtained by a simple esophageal recording or by P wave duration on the surface electrocardiogram. A careful analysis of the ectopic atrial beats on the 12-lead electrocardiogram can identify the site of origin of the ectopic atrial beat. Surface electrocardiogram is commonly used in the classification of atrial flutter.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Cardiologia, Ospedale Civile, Foligno, PG. giuseppe.bagliani@tin.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bagliani
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michelucci
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colella
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pieragnoli
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meniconi
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Padeletti
authors.forename: Gian Franco
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Gensini
mesh_terms: D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D016275:Atrial Function; D018880:Atrial Premature Complexes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018780:Body Surface Potential Mapping; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D014672:Vectorcardiography