Dr.S.Venkatesan MD

RR interval in Atrial fibrillation is irregular because . . .

1. The Atria  fires irregularly
2. AV node conducts irregularly
3. Atria confuses the AV node  with  its random firing  and varying penetration *
4. The ventricle just reflects  irregular  response of atria .

The answer is all of the above. Response 3  explains  best.

*Please note , the AV nodal property is predominantly  responsible for the irregular RR interval in AF  . Atria confuses the AV node  with its random firing .The varying penetration into different depths of AV nodal structure and  the resultant concealed conduction make the   the AV nodal refractory period into continuous oscillation .This  random delays in AV node  is reflected in RR interval as irregularity   )

The response we get in ventricles  in AF  can be summed up as  “A filtered atrial rhythm”

Paradoxically,  amidst the chaos in atria  the rate  is fairly constant within the atria (Fibrillatory   wave firing  at up-to 600/mt )  Of course  , the FF interval in the atria will also be varying  .  At a rate of 450-600 this is difficult to quantitate  especially in fine AF.

When does RR interval becomes regular in AF ?

• When the patient develops complete heart  block.
• Digoxin toxicity
• Associated Sinus node dysfunction

For advanced readers in EP : A mystery explanation for irregular  rhythm in AF  in the offing ?

AV node is a physiological and electrical sink .

When atria fires at 600/mt it absorbs about 60-70  % of the atrial response .Whether it releases the original impulse or initiate a new rhythm in the junction  is not clear.

There is some evidence to suggest the rhythm that control the ventricle in AF may not be  filtered original rhythm from the atria .Instead it could be a fast junctional  escape rhythm (Is that a junctional fibrillation ?)