MedGen

Atrial standstill (AS) is a rare condition characterized by the absence of electrical and mechanical activity in the atria. On surface ECG, AS is distinguished by bradycardia, junctional (usually narrow complex) escape rhythm, and absence of the P wave. Nearly 50% of patients with AS experience syncope. AS can be persistent or transient, and diffuse or partial (summary by Fazelifar et al., 2005). [from OMIM]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disturbance, affecting more than 2 million Americans, with an overall prevalence of 0.89%. The prevalence increases rapidly with age, to 2.3% between the ages of 40 and 60 years, and to 5.9% over the age of 65. The most dreaded complication is thromboembolic stroke (Brugada et al., 1997). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of atrial fibrillation, see 608583. [from OMIM]