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'''The PR interval starts at the beginning of the atrial excitation (beginning of the [[P wave]] and ends at the beginning of the ventricular excitation (beginning of the [[QRS complex]]. It is termed the PQ interval if a Q wave is present.''' The PR interval measures the time required for an electrical impulse to travel from the atrial myocardium adjacent to the sinoatrial (SA) node to the ventricular myocardium adjacent to the fibers of the Purkinje network. | '''The PR interval starts at the beginning of the atrial excitation (beginning of the [[P wave]] and ends at the beginning of the ventricular excitation (beginning of the [[QRS complex]]. It is termed the PQ interval if a Q wave is present.''' The PR interval measures the time required for an electrical impulse to travel from the atrial myocardium adjacent to the sinoatrial (SA) node to the ventricular myocardium adjacent to the fibers of the Purkinje network. | ||
The duration of the PR interval is normally from 0.10 to 0.21 s. A major portion of the PR interval reflects the slow conduction of an impulse through the AV node, which is controlled by the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. Therefore, the PR interval varies with the heart rate, being shorter at faster rates when the sympathetic component predominates, and vice versa. The PR interval tends to increase with age <ref>Beckwith JR. Grant's clinical electrocardiography. New York: McGraw–Hill, 1970:50.</ref> <ref>Marriott's Practical Electrocardiography, Wagner G.S., 10th edition, 2001</ref> | The duration of the PR interval is normally from 0.10 to 0.21 s. A major portion of the PR interval reflects the slow conduction of an impulse through the AV node, which is controlled by the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. Therefore, the PR interval varies with the heart rate, being shorter at faster rates when the sympathetic component predominates, and vice versa. The PR interval tends to increase with age;<ref>Beckwith JR. Grant's clinical electrocardiography. New York: McGraw–Hill, 1970:50.</ref> <ref>Marriott's Practical Electrocardiography, Wagner G.S., 10th edition, 2001</ref> | ||
*In childhood: 0.10 - 0.20 sec | *In childhood: 0.10 - 0.20 sec | ||
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==Changes in PR interval== | ==Changes in PR interval== | ||
A prolonged PQ interval is a sign of delayed conduction through the atrium and AV node. Pathophysiologically, this can be due to [[Arrhythmias#Atrioventricular_block|1st, 2nd or 3rd degree AV block]], increased vagal tone [Bezold-Jarisch reflex; described as an eponym for a triad of responses (apnea, bradycardia, and hypotension) following intravenous injection of veratrum alkaloids in experimental animals], or it can be pharmacologically induced.<ref>Aviado DM, Guevara Aviado D. The Bezold-Jarisch reflex: A historical perspective of cardiopulmonary reflexes, Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001 Jun; 940: 48-58</ref> <ref>Mark AL. The Bezold-Jarisch reflex revisited: clinical implications of inhibitory reflexes originating in the heart. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1983 Jan;1 (1): 90-102.</ref> | A prolonged PQ interval is a sign of delayed conduction through the atrium and AV node. Pathophysiologically, this can be due to [[Arrhythmias#Atrioventricular_block|1st, 2nd or 3rd degree AV block]], increased vagal tone [Bezold-Jarisch reflex; described as an eponym for a triad of responses (apnea, bradycardia, and hypotension) following intravenous injection of veratrum alkaloids in experimental animals], or it can be pharmacologically induced.<ref>Aviado DM, Guevara Aviado D. The Bezold-Jarisch reflex: A historical perspective of cardiopulmonary reflexes, Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001 Jun; 940: 48-58</ref> <ref>Mark AL. The Bezold-Jarisch reflex revisited: clinical implications of inhibitory reflexes originating in the heart. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1983 Jan;1 (1): 90-102.</ref> | ||
A short PR interval can be seen in the [[Arrhythmias#WPW_syndrome|WPW syndrome]] in which a faster connection exists between the atria and the ventricles. | A short PR interval can be seen in the [[Arrhythmias#WPW_syndrome|WPW syndrome]] in which a faster connection exists between the atria and the ventricles. | ||
* Shortens up to a rate of 140 to 150 beats per minute through a withdrawal of parasympathetic tone <ref>Chou's Electrocardiography in Clinical Practice.</ref> <ref> Atterhog, J. Electrocardiol. 1977:10,331.</ref> | * Shortens up to a rate of 140 to 150 beats per minute through a withdrawal of parasympathetic tone.<ref>Chou's Electrocardiography in Clinical Practice.</ref> <ref> Atterhog, J. Electrocardiol. 1977:10,331.</ref><br> | ||
* PR may increase with increasing rate in the presence of digoxin or if the conducting system is diseased. <br> | * PR may increase with increasing rate in the presence of digoxin or if the conducting system is diseased. <br> | ||
* If the atria are artificially paced the PR increases as the paced rate increases <ref>Lister,J., Am.J. Cardiol 1965:16,516.</ref> | * If the atria are artificially paced the PR increases as the paced rate increases.<ref>Lister,J., Am.J. Cardiol 1965:16,516.</ref><br> | ||
* Children have shorter PR intervals (0.11 at 1 year). <br> | * Children have shorter PR intervals (0.11 at 1 year). <br> | ||
80% of the PR prolongations ranged from 0.21 to 0.24.<ref>Johnson, R, Am. J. Cardiol. 1960:6,153.</ref> In a second study 59 of 19.000 (0.31%) airmen had a PR of 0.24 or more.<ref>Manning, G., Am. J. Cardiol.1962:9,558.</ref><br> | |||
* In healthy middle aged men, a prolongation of the PR in the presence of a normal QRS does not affect prognosis and is not related to ischemic heart disease.<ref>Erikssen, J.,Clin.Card. 1984:7,6.</ref><br> | |||
* In healthy middle aged men, a prolongation of the PR in the presence of a normal QRS does not affect prognosis and is not related to ischemic heart disease <ref>Erikssen, J.,Clin.Card. 1984:7,6.</ref> | * Prolongation can be a normal variant: 67.000 healthy airmen studied and 0.52% found to have a prolonged PR. | ||
* PR prolongation often signifies a delay in the AV node but may reflect intra atrial or His Purkinje disease. <br><br> | * PR prolongation often signifies a delay in the AV node but may reflect intra atrial or His Purkinje disease. <br><br> | ||
== | ==Shortened PR Interval== | ||
A short PR interval is defined as a PR interval of less than 0.12 seconds. Although a short PR interval may be a normal variant, it is also associated with the presence of an accessory [[bypass tract]] (e.g. [[WPW syndrome]] and [[LGL syndrome]]), and close proximity of the atrial impulse to the AV node such as occurs in a premature atrial beat. In [[isorhythmic A-V dissociation]], the atrial impulse does not conduct to the ventricle, but the atrium and the ventricle may separately beat at similar rates and the PR interval may vary from beat to beat. | |||
Click '''[[Short PR interval|here]]''' to read more about short PR interval, its pathophysiology and causes. | |||
== | ==Prolonged PR Interval== | ||
[[PR prolongation]] can be a normal variant or can caused by several etiologies which include [[beta blocker]] therapy, AV block due to [[coronary artery disease]] or [[rheumatic heart disease]], [[hyperthyroidism]]. | |||
Click '''[[prolonged PR interval|here]]''' to learn more about PR prolongation and its causes. | |||
== | ==Depressed PR Interval== | ||
PR segment depression can be caused by [[Pericarditis|acute pericarditis]] or [[atrial infarction]]. | |||
{{Electrocardiography}} | {{Electrocardiography}} | ||
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
The PR interval starts at the beginning of the atrial excitation (beginning of the P wave and ends at the beginning of the ventricular excitation (beginning of the QRS complex. It is termed the PQ interval if a Q wave is present. The PR interval measures the time required for an electrical impulse to travel from the atrial myocardium adjacent to the sinoatrial (SA) node to the ventricular myocardium adjacent to the fibers of the Purkinje network.
The duration of the PR interval is normally from 0.10 to 0.21 s. A major portion of the PR interval reflects the slow conduction of an impulse through the AV node, which is controlled by the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. Therefore, the PR interval varies with the heart rate, being shorter at faster rates when the sympathetic component predominates, and vice versa. The PR interval tends to increase with age;[1] [2]
- In childhood: 0.10 - 0.20 sec
- In adolescence: 0.12 - 0.16 sec
- In adulthood: 0.14 - 0.21 sec
Changes in PR interval
A prolonged PQ interval is a sign of delayed conduction through the atrium and AV node. Pathophysiologically, this can be due to 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree AV block, increased vagal tone [Bezold-Jarisch reflex; described as an eponym for a triad of responses (apnea, bradycardia, and hypotension) following intravenous injection of veratrum alkaloids in experimental animals], or it can be pharmacologically induced.[3] [4]
A short PR interval can be seen in the WPW syndrome in which a faster connection exists between the atria and the ventricles.
- Shortens up to a rate of 140 to 150 beats per minute through a withdrawal of parasympathetic tone.[5] [6]
- PR may increase with increasing rate in the presence of digoxin or if the conducting system is diseased.
- If the atria are artificially paced the PR increases as the paced rate increases.[7]
- Children have shorter PR intervals (0.11 at 1 year).
80% of the PR prolongations ranged from 0.21 to 0.24.[8] In a second study 59 of 19.000 (0.31%) airmen had a PR of 0.24 or more.[9]
- In healthy middle aged men, a prolongation of the PR in the presence of a normal QRS does not affect prognosis and is not related to ischemic heart disease.[10]
- Prolongation can be a normal variant: 67.000 healthy airmen studied and 0.52% found to have a prolonged PR.
- PR prolongation often signifies a delay in the AV node but may reflect intra atrial or His Purkinje disease.
Shortened PR Interval
A short PR interval is defined as a PR interval of less than 0.12 seconds. Although a short PR interval may be a normal variant, it is also associated with the presence of an accessory bypass tract (e.g. WPW syndrome and LGL syndrome), and close proximity of the atrial impulse to the AV node such as occurs in a premature atrial beat. In isorhythmic A-V dissociation, the atrial impulse does not conduct to the ventricle, but the atrium and the ventricle may separately beat at similar rates and the PR interval may vary from beat to beat.
Click here to read more about short PR interval, its pathophysiology and causes.
Prolonged PR Interval
PR prolongation can be a normal variant or can caused by several etiologies which include beta blocker therapy, AV block due to coronary artery disease or rheumatic heart disease, hyperthyroidism.
Click here to learn more about PR prolongation and its causes.
Depressed PR Interval
PR segment depression can be caused by acute pericarditis or atrial infarction.
References
- ↑ Beckwith JR. Grant's clinical electrocardiography. New York: McGraw–Hill, 1970:50.
- ↑ Marriott's Practical Electrocardiography, Wagner G.S., 10th edition, 2001
- ↑ Aviado DM, Guevara Aviado D. The Bezold-Jarisch reflex: A historical perspective of cardiopulmonary reflexes, Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001 Jun; 940: 48-58
- ↑ Mark AL. The Bezold-Jarisch reflex revisited: clinical implications of inhibitory reflexes originating in the heart. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1983 Jan;1 (1): 90-102.
- ↑ Chou's Electrocardiography in Clinical Practice.
- ↑ Atterhog, J. Electrocardiol. 1977:10,331.
- ↑ Lister,J., Am.J. Cardiol 1965:16,516.
- ↑ Johnson, R, Am. J. Cardiol. 1960:6,153.
- ↑ Manning, G., Am. J. Cardiol.1962:9,558.
- ↑ Erikssen, J.,Clin.Card. 1984:7,6.