(FIT)-Module 1, Workshop 1: Electrocardiographic/Electrophysiologic Correlation-Tomaselli Case 4 Answer

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Video Summary

The solution to terminating tachycardia involves increasing the wavelength. This concept revolves around the relationship between wavelength, conduction velocity, and refractory period. In a macro re-entrant arrhythmia within the left atrium, with the path length greater than the wavelength, re-entry is sustained. In order for the arrhythmia to terminate, the wavelength (product of conduction velocity and refractory period) must exceed the path length, causing the wave head to collide with the wave tail. Therefore, increasing the wavelength disrupts the arrhythmia by preventing the wave from sustaining re-entry.

Keywords

tachycardia termination

wavelength increase

re-entrant arrhythmia

conduction velocity

refractory period