Sinus Arrest | Sinus Pause ECG Interpretation with Sample Strip

ECG Strip

Sinus Arrest | Sinus Pause Rhythm Strip Features

Rate: Normal to slow
Rhythm: Irregular due to pause
P Wave: Normal
PR Interval: Normal (0.12-0.20 sec)
QRS: Normal (0.06-0.10 sec)
Sudden absence of electrical activity initiated by the SA node. This results in a pause in the electrical activity seen on the tracing. The sinus pause rhythm typically will demonstrate constant R to R intervals prior to and following the pause.
Sinus arrest is a pause in the generation of electrical impulses by the SA node. The sinus arrest pause is usually followed by a new sinus node beat or by an AV node escape beat. If no pacemaker begins activity, then the condition becomes cardiac arrest. If an ectopic site (e.g. AV junction or ventricles) takes over, the beat will likely be slower. Refer to sinoatrial block for information on a similar EKG.
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Authors and Sources

Authors and Reviewers

ECG heart rhythm modules: Thomas O'Brien.
ECG monitor simulation developer: Steve Collmann
12 Lead Course: Dr. Michael Mazzini, MD.
Spanish language ECG: Breena R. Taira, MD, MPH
Medical review: Dr. Jonathan Keroes, MD
Medical review: Dr. Pedro Azevedo, MD, Cardiology
Last Update: 11/8/2021

Sources

Electrocardiography for Healthcare Professionals, 6th Edition Kathryn Booth and Thomas O'Brien
ISBN10: 1265013470, ISBN13: 9781265013479
McGraw Hill, 2023
Rapid Interpretation of EKG's, Sixth Edition
Dale Dublin
Cover Publishing Company
EKG Reference Guide
EKG.Academy
12 Lead EKG for Nurses: Simple Steps to Interpret Rhythms, Arrhythmias, Blocks, Hypertrophy, Infarcts, & Cardiac Drugs
Aaron Reed
Create Space Independent Publishing
Heart Sounds and Murmurs: A Practical Guide with Audio CD-ROM 3rd Edition
Elsevier-Health Sciences Division
Barbara A. Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN
The Virtual Cardiac Patient: A Multimedia Guide to Heart Sounds, Murmurs, EKG Jonathan Keroes, David Lieberman
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkin)
ISBN-10: 0781784425; ISBN-13: 978-0781784429
Project Semilla, UCLA Emergency Medicine, EKG Training Breena R. Taira, MD, MPH
ECG Reference Guide
PracticalClinicalSkills.com