Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Second degree AV block historical perspective
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Second-degree AV block was first described as a progressive delay between the atrial and ventricular contraction by Dr. Wenckebach in 1899. Dr. Mobitz then divided the second-degree AV block into two subtypes. In 1905, Dr. Hay figured out the pause following a wave was due to the failure of ventricular muscles to respond to a stimulus.
Historical perspective
Historical perspective
- In 1899, Dr. Wenckebach described progressive delay between atrial and ventricular contraction and the eventual failure of a P wave to reach the ventricles.
- Dr. Mobitz then divided the second-degree AV block into two subtypes.
- In 1905, Dr. John Hay discovered the second degree of AV block.[1]
- Dr. Hay was examining a patient who complains of slow pulse and dyspnea on exertion for more than 2 years. Dr. Hay noticed the heart rate dropping from 80 beats to 40 beats per minute.
- Dr. Hay noted the a waves and the arterial pulse to remain stable in the beginning. However, recording pulsation several times resulted in “a” waves that were not followed by c wave. The a-c jugular wave interval was used as a measurement of AV conduction.
- Dr. Hay figured out that the pause following a wave was due to the failure of ventricular muscles to respond to a stimulus.
References
References
- ↑ Upshaw CB, Silverman ME (2000). “John Hay: discoverer of type II atrioventricular block”. Clin Cardiol. 23 (11): 869–71. doi:10.1002/clc.4960231118. PMC 6655013 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMIDÂ 11097138.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [2]