Ashman phenomenon

The Ashman phenomenon was first mentioned by Lewis in 1910. J. L. Gouaox and B. Ashman described this phenomenon in 1947 in detail as a so-called "long cycle - short cycle- sequence" (Gertsch 2008 / Roskamm 1996).

An Ashman phenomenon is a special form of aberration that can occur intermittently. In the ECG, after a longer R- R- interval, a short interval is found and the following beat is conducted with aberration, whereby the image of a right bundle branch block (RSB) occurs more frequently than that of a left bundle branch block (LSB) (Gertsch 2008 / Roskamm 1996).

The Ashman phenomenon occurs in different types of atrial arrhythmias. It is most commonly found in atrial fibrillation (Olshausen 1996).

The Ashman phenomenon is caused by an increase in the refractory time of the His-Purkinje system and the ventricular myocardium as soon as the heart rate decreases or the cycle time increases (Olshausen 1996).

Ventricular extrasystole (VES): In this case, the same QRS width is found with the same QRS configuration. A VES is followed by a compensatory pause (Roskamm 1996).

1. Gertsch M (2008) The ECG - At a glance and in detail. Springer Medicine Publishing House 569
2. von Olshausen K (1996) ECG Information: Basics - Morphological Interpretation - Clinical Syndromes - Rhythm Disorders - Pacemakers - ECG - ECG- Technique and Artifacts. Steinkopff Darmstadt publishing house 208
3. Roskamm H et al (1996) Heart diseases: pathophysiology - diagnostics - therapy. Springer Publishing House 503