Rhythm disturbances in the atrium can occur as a result of increased or decreased conduction rate, both of which may potentially compromise cardiac function. The electrophysiologic mechanisms for these changes are important with respect to prognosis and treatment.

Supraventricular tachycardia (increased heart rate) is initiated in the atria and arises from a number of conditions, including an increase in sinoatrial node impulse rate that normally occurs during conditions of high excitation, such as hyperthyroidism or exercise. Referred to as physiologically appropriate sinus tachycardia, this response stems from a demand for increased cardiac output. In contrast, pathological tachycardia is defined by its presence under circumstances where it is physiologically inappropriate. In some cases, symptoms may go unnoticed or cause slight increases in heart rate, such as in paroxysmal (sudden) supraventricular tachycardia, which occurs in many people as a relatively benign increase in heart rate, ranging anywhere from 160 to 240 beats per minute. This condition is easily controlled by a variety of physical or pharmacological approaches and can be prevented or reduced with beta-adrenergic blocking agents (beta blockers; drugs that diminish excitatory response) or calcium channel blocking agents. Some conditions, however, require more aggressive pharmacological intervention or pacemaker implantation.

Atrial flutter (rapid atrial beat) may occur suddenly and unpredictably or may be a chronic sustained arrhythmia. The heart rate in atrial flutter approximates 300 beats per minute and is difficult to treat pharmacologically. In general, only a fraction of the atrial beats (one-third to one-fourth) are transmitted to the ventricle, which is done in a systematic manner so that the ventricular rate appears constant. Atrial flutter can also occur as a variant of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in overdose of digitalis, which causes the atria to beat faster than the ventricles because atrial transmission to the ventricles is blocked. Patients with atrial flutter are susceptible to marked increases in heart rate with relatively little stimulation unless treated pharmacologically with beta-adrenergic blocking agents, digitalis, or calcium channel blocking agents. The sustained condition of atrial flutter is treated with electric countershock followed by antiarrhythmic therapy to maintain normal rhythm. In many patients with chronic atrial flutter, the rhythm ultimately changes to atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a chaotic disorganization of the atrial muscle in which multiple and organized electrical impulses arise. A small fraction of impulses are transmitted to the ventricle in an unpredictable manner, and the heart rate is described as irregularly irregular. As in atrial flutter, patients are treated pharmacologically to control ventricular heart rate. Atrial fibrillation may have severe consequences that require various approaches to treatment.

Tachycardias that are sometimes resistant to treatment may arise from a series of abnormalities called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by the presence of an alternative conduction source from atrium to ventricle that bypasses the atrioventricular node, causing impulses to reach the ventricle too soon. A variety of tachycardias can occur under these circumstances that may be very rapid and life-threatening. Catheter ablation, in which the electrical conduction pathway is destroyed in the problematic cells, has been used to treat severe cases of this syndrome.

Bradycardia and heart block

Bradycardia (low heart rate) can arise from two general mechanisms. The sinoatrial node may not function properly either as a result of slow generation of impulses or of blocking of the propagation of impulses. As a result, other pacemakers in the heart become responsible for impulse generation, and these have intrinsically slower rates. The condition, while not harmful in and of itself, is usually an indication of problems with the atrial conduction system and frequently results in the development of atrial fibrillation. In some circumstances, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia will abruptly terminate, and the sinoatrial node will not take up normal sinus rhythm. This results in a profound bradycardia that may cause fainting (syncope), a condition known as tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome.

Another mechanism for slow ventricular rates is heart block. Under these circumstances the sinoatrial node generates an appropriate impulse rate, but the impulses are not transmitted properly through the atrioventricular node and the His bundle. The block is classified as first-degree (normal heart rate but delayed transmission of atrial impulse to ventricle), second-degree (only some atrial beats are transmitted to the ventricle), or third-degree (no transmission from the atrium to the ventricle occurs). In some cases, first-degree heart block may be a side effect of medication (i.e., digitalis). Treatment is not required for first-degree heart block, as it is a benign condition with a generally good prognosis. If heart block progresses into severe second-degree or third-degree stages, a pacemaker is implanted for proper function. Heart block may occur as a result of severe injury, such as myocardial infarction, in which an emergency pacemaker may be implanted; however, it frequently occurs as a function of normal aging because of fibrosis of the His bundle. Third-degree heart block initiated in the His bundle results in a very slow heart rate and almost always requires a pacemaker. Third-degree heart block can also occur from blocks of the atrioventricular node in patients with congenital heart block. These patients are generally asymptomatic and capable of maintaining cardiac output under most circumstances. This is because the presence of other, more rapid, pacemaker cells below the level of the block is sensitive to metabolic demand, allowing some increase in heart rate. The use of pacemakers in patients with congenital heart block is not usually required.