Complete AV Block, Junctional Escape Rhythm, and Ventriculophasic Sinus Arrhythmia
Frank Yanowitz
Copyright 1996
Complete AV block is seen as evidenced by the AV dissociation. A junctional escape rhythm sets the ventricular rate at 45 bpm. The PP intervals vary because of ventriculophasic sinus arrhythmia; this is defined when the PP interval that includes a QRS is shorter than a PP interval that excludes a QRS. The QRS generates a strong enough pulse to activate the carotid sinus mechanism which slows the subsequent PP interval.