What is pacemaker migration atrial?

Migrating the pacemaker to the atria is a type of cardiac arrhythmia. Arrhythmia in medicine is a violation of the heartbeat, which can be expressed in the acceleration of the pulse, acceleration or deceleration of the heart tones, or in the irregular patterns observed in the lower chambers of the heart.

Some types of arrhythmias are recognized as severe conditions requiring medical intervention, others are very common and, as a rule, do not cause cause for concern. In most cases, episodes of pacemaker migration do not require medical attention, but if an unusual palpitation causes anxiety in the patient, it is better to consult a doctor to confirm the safety of the condition.

The mechanism of blood flow

The heart consists of two upper chambers (right and left atrium) and two lower chambers (respectively, right and left ventricles). Blood flows along a strictly defined route through all chambers to ensure a normal circulation of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.

First, blood with a minimum amount of oxygen comes from different parts of the body into the right atrium, then flows into the right ventricle and is pumped into the lungs. As soon as she takes the vital oxygen from the lungs, the blood flows into the left atrium, and then into the left ventricle. After this, oxygenated blood enters all other internal organs and parts of the body.

The role of electrical impulses

To distill the blood between the chambers, the heart muscle needs to contract. In other words, the atria and the ventricles shrink to provide normal blood flow through the heart and the entire body.

These contractions are controlled by electrical impulses coming from special cells capable of conducting current and sending signals to other cells. They cause the cameras to shrink, following a certain rhythm and frequency, thus ensuring a healthy blood flow.

Sinoatrial node

The term "migration of the pacemaker to the atria" is closely related to the functioning of a group of cells located on the top right atrium. These cells are called the sinoatrial (sinus) node and are responsible for controlling the frequency and rhythm of electrical impulses of the heart. For this reason, the sinus node is also called the natural rhythm driver. It is through him that cardiac contractions, following a certain rhythm and frequency, are initiated.

Atrioventricular node

The sinoatrial node does not function by itself - its work is facilitated by a variety of biological mechanisms. Thus, electrical impulses from this group of cells enter the atrioventricular (atrioventricular) node located slightly deeper in the heart. It transmits signals further, ensuring their entry into the heart, and, thus, keeps synchronous contractions of the heart muscle.

Migrating the pacemaker to the atria

A child or an adult may have a specific arrhythmia, in which the control of electrical cardiac pulses passes from the sinoatrial to the atrioventricular node.

Migration of the pacemaker to the atria occurs at any time, regardless of the activity that the person is currently engaged in. With complex diagnosis, arrhythmia is recorded both during sports training and during night sleep.

As a rule, its availability almost never gives cause for concern. In some cases, slight irregular heartbeat, but sometimes even such signs of pathology are absent. A person simply does not notice when he has a migration of the pacemaker at the atrium.

Risk factors

This type of arrhythmia is diagnosed in people of all ages, but most often it is observed in elderly patients and young children. Migration is also often found in professional athletes and those who maintain their body in excellent physical shape. The causes of the anomaly remain unknown.

In most cases, doctors can not unequivocally answer what caused the migration of the pacemaker to the atria. Under specific circumstances, that is, rarely enough, this disorder appears after an overdose of cardiac glycosides used to treat certain cardiac diseases.

Diagnostics

The typical migration of the rhythm pacemaker to the atria on the ECG (electrocardiogram) becomes particularly evident. The result of ECG scanning is similar to a series of waves. The peak of the wave indicates a contraction of the right atrium, caused by the sinoatrial node. If the irregularity of such waves is observed on the diagram (changes in shape, size and location), the doctor makes a diagnosis of "migration of pacemaker to the atria".

Multifocus atrial tachycardia

If you suspect that you have an arrhythmia, make an appointment with a doctor to exclude a more severe diagnosis as soon as possible, "multifocus (chaotic) atrial tachycardia." This disorder is similar in many respects to the problem described in our article, however, in this type of arrhythmia, the cardiac nodes initiate electrical impulses simultaneously. As a result of the abnormal function, the heart rate is accelerated. Multifocus atrial tachycardia is potentially dangerous and requires timely treatment.