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The P-wave morphology: what does it tell us?

Die P-Wellen-Morphologie: was sagt sie uns?

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Abstract

P-wave morphology and duration reveals several aspects of the atria: Proper function, fibrosis, dyssynchrony, and activation paths can be inferred from the surface P-wave analysis. Surface electrocardiogram (ECG) can help differentiating enlargements of the atria from conduction defects including intra- and interatrial block.

The purpose of this paper is to review normal atrial morphology and the most relevant abnormal patterns.

Zusammenfassung

Die P-Wellen-Morphologie und -Dauer verrät mehrere Aspekte des Atriums: Regelrechte Funktion, Fibrose, Dyssynchronie und Aktivierungspfade können aus der Analyse der P-Welle im Oberflächen-EKG abgeleitet werden. Das Oberflächen-EKG kann bei der Unterscheidung zwischen atrialer Dilatation und Leitungsverzögerungen inklusive inter- und intraatrialem Block helfen. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, eine Übersicht über die normale P-Wellen-Morphologie und die wichtigsten pathologischen Veränderungen zu geben.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, Kingston General Hospital, Queen’s University, K7L 2V7, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Adrian Baranchuk MD FACC FRCPC

  2. ICCC-Hospital Sant Pau. Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain

    Antoni Bayés de Luna MD PhD

Authors
  1. Adrian Baranchuk MD FACC FRCPC
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  2. Antoni Bayés de Luna MD PhD
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Correspondence to Adrian Baranchuk MD FACC FRCPC.

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A. Baranchuk and A. Bayés de Luna state that there are no conflicts of interest.

This article does not involve studies on humans or animals.

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Baranchuk, A., Bayés de Luna, A. The P-wave morphology: what does it tell us?. Herzschr Elektrophys 26, 192–199 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00399-015-0385-3

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