A delta wave is the result of concealed retrograde conduction from the ventricle during normal sinus rhythm. True or False?

A delta wave is the result of concealed retrograde conduction from the ventricle during normal sinus rhythm. True or False?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It depends
• D. Not related

Answer: (B)

Delta waves appear when an accessory pathway conducts atrial impulses to the ventricles in an antegrade manner during normal sinus rhythm, causing the ventricles to be preexcited before the usual AV nodal conduction. This early ventricular activation creates the slurred upstroke at the start of the QRS and shortens the PR interval. Concealed retrograde conduction refers to a pathway that only conducts from ventricle back to atria and does not carry impulses from atria to ventricle during sinus rhythm, so it does not produce a delta wave. Therefore, a delta wave signals antegrade preexcitation via an accessory pathway, not concealed retrograde conduction.

Delta waves appear when an accessory pathway conducts atrial impulses to the ventricles in an antegrade manner during normal sinus rhythm, causing the ventricles to be preexcited before the usual AV nodal conduction. This early ventricular activation creates the slurred upstroke at the start of the QRS and shortens the PR interval. Concealed retrograde conduction refers to a pathway that only conducts from ventricle back to atria and does not carry impulses from atria to ventricle during sinus rhythm, so it does not produce a delta wave. Therefore, a delta wave signals antegrade preexcitation via an accessory pathway, not concealed retrograde conduction.