Definition

• Accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIR) consists of an ectopic ventricular rhythm that competes with the sinus node for control of the heart rate.
• AIR differs from ventricular tachycardia Ventricular tachycardia in that the discharge rate of the ventricular focus is usually slow (typically 100-150 bpm). In addition, the onset of AIR is often gradual and the duration of arrhythmia brief, as opposed to more malignant forms of ventricular tachycardia. Often AIR is referred to by the somewhat contradictory term slow ventricular tachycardia.

Electrocardiographic characteristics

Clinical importance and treatment

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• Kittleson M D & Kienle R D (1998) Diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias (dysrhythmias). Small Animal Cardiovascular Medicine. Mosby, pp 481-482.
• Abbott J A (1995) Traumatic myocarditis. Current Veterinary Therapy XII: Small Animal Practice. J D Bonagurs (ed). W B Saunders, pp 846-850.