The “Dead-End Tract” and Its Role in Arrhythmogenesis

Idiopathic outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) represent a significant proportion of all VAs. The mechanism is thought to be catecholamine-mediated delayed after depolarizations and triggered activity, although other etiologies should be considered. In the adult cardiac conduction system it...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lennart de Vries, Astrid Hendriks, Tamas Szili-Torok
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2016-04-01
Series:Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/3/2/11
Description
Summary:Idiopathic outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) represent a significant proportion of all VAs. The mechanism is thought to be catecholamine-mediated delayed after depolarizations and triggered activity, although other etiologies should be considered. In the adult cardiac conduction system it has been demonstrated that sometimes an embryonic branch, the so-called “dead-end tract”, persists beyond the bifurcation of the right and left bundle branch (LBB). Several findings suggest an involvement of this tract in idiopathic VAs (IVAs). The aim of this review is to summarize our current knowledge and the possible clinical significance of this tract.
ISSN:2308-3425