ECG Blog #71 (PVC – AFib – Ashman – Aberrancy)

Interpret the lead MCL-1 rhythm strip shown in Figure-1.

• What is beat #13?  — Is the Ashman phenomenon operative in this tracing?
• Can you also explain the slightly different appearance of beats #4 and #7 compared to most other beats on the tracing?

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NOTE: You may want to refer to our ECG Blog #70 — in which we discussed the Ashman phenomenon in detail.

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Figure-1: What is the underlying rhythm in this lead MCL-1 rhythm strip? Does beat #13 represent the Ashman phenomenon? 

Interpretation of Figure 1:

The underlying rhythm in Figure-1 is irregularly irregular. The QRS complex for most beats on the tracing is narrow. No P waves are seen. Therefore — the underlying rhythm is AFib with a relatively rapid ventricular response.

• Beat #13 occurs relatively early. QRS morphology manifests a typical RBBB pattern with rSR’ complex showing similar initial deflection (upright) as for normal beats and taller right rabbit ear (Figure-2). This characteristic appearance of beat #13 strongly suggests this beat is not a PVC, but is instead an aberrantly conducted supraventricular impulse.
• Beats #4 and #7 in this tracing also look different than the normally conducted beats. They both manifest an rSr’ pattern, albeit not quite as pronounced as for beat #13. We strongly suspect the appearance of beats #4 and 7 reflects aberrant conduction with a pattern of incomplete RBBB.
• Clinically — it probably matters little whether beats #4, 7 and 13 represent isolated PVCs vs aberrant conduction of several AFib impulses. In either case — the primary problem is rapid AFib in a hemodynamically stable patient. As a result — management priorities rest with trying to find and “fix” the precipitating cause of AFib and with controlling the ventricular response. Regardless of the etiology of beats #4, 7 and 13 — it is likely that widened complexes will decrease in frequency (or resolve completely) once the ventricular rate of AFib is controlled.

Figure-2: Use of QRS morphology in a right-sided lead (V1 or MCL-1) to distinguish between PVCs vs aberrant conduction. Ony a typical RBBB pattern (rsR' with descent of S wave below the baseline and with terminal taller right rabbit ear) is predictive of aberration (A or B). Any other pattern (C, D, E, F) predicts ventricular ectopy.

The ASHMAN Phenomenon is Less Reliable in AFib

At first glance, beats #4, 7 and 13 in Figure-1 all appear to manifest the Ashman phenomenon — in that these slightly widened and different-looking beats all follow a relatively longer preceding R-R interval (ECG Blog #70). That said — the Ashman phenomenon is of uncertain value with AFib (Atrial Fibrillation). Marriott and Conover have emphasized that length of the R-R interval in AFib is continually influenced by the phenomenon of concealed conduction, in which variable penetration of the 400-to-600 atrial impulses that arrive each minute at the AV node with AFib affects conduction in a way that the preceding R-R interval no longer accurately reflects the duration of the subsequent refractory period.

• Another reason definitive diagnosis of aberrant conduction is more difficult in the setting of AFib — is that one loses the diagnostic utility of identifying a premature P wave (since there are no P waves with AFib …).
• Despite these caveats — we estimate a greater than 90% likelihood that beats #4, 7 and 13 in Figure-1 all represent aberrantly conducted AFib impulses because of their highly characteristic appearance. Specifically — beat #13 in Figure-1 looks identical to B in Figure-2, in that beat #13 manifests an rsR’ with S wave that descends below the baseline and taller right rabbit ear (R’ ) in a right-sided lead (such as MCL-1).

Final Comment: It is good to be aware of the Ashman phenomenon — because this concept is often cited by those with an interest in interpreting challenging arrhythmias. 

• That said — it will be relatively uncommon that one truly has opportunity to invoke clinical use of the Ashman phenomenon. 
• Despite description of this phenomenon by Gouaux and Ashman in 1947 (about a patient with atrial fibrillation) — our increased understanding of the importance of concealed conduction in the setting of AFib reduces reliability of the Ashman phenomenon when AFib is the underlying rhythm. My Approach: I still do look for and use the Ashman phenomenon in patients with AFib — but it's especially important to look for other ECG findings as well when assessing the etiology of wide beats with underlying AFib.

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- For more information — GO TO:

• See Section 19.0 (from ACLS-2013-ePub) — on the Aberrant Conduction –