Sinus node dysfunction. An overview with emphasis on autonomic and pharmacologic consideration.

Sinus node dysfunction is a disorder of impulse generation and impulse conduction. Previous works have emphasized that the dysfunction occurs not only within the sinus node but also within the escape pacemaker. Adrenergic and cholinergic mechanisms, as well as pulsations and pressure within the sinus node artery, play an important role in normal sinus node activity. Although perinodal fibers act as a buffer zone for sinoatrial conduction, their role in man is yet to be clarified. During normal sinus node activity, pacemaker shifts from the sinus node to the crista terminalis have been shown to occur. Following sinus node destruction, similar shifts do occur. Clinical methods of determining sinus node function, such as the sinus node recovery time and sinus atrial conduction time, are useful but have limitations. Dynamic electrocardiographic monitoring provides the best clinical method available for detecting sinus node dysfunction. Digitalis appears to improve the parameters of sinus node function by increasing the automaticity of latent atrial pacemakers. The atrial arrhythmia of sinus node dysfunction appears to be related to the characteristics of latent atrial pacemaker and "enhanced" cholinergic tone.