AV Dissociation & Clinical Interventions — ECG Academy Lesson

Understand AV dissociation beyond complete heart block, recognize what bedside response patterns can tell you, and identify basic transcutaneous pacing capture without turning early Module 6 into a full pacemaker lesson.

Learning Objectives

• Define AV dissociation and explain that third-degree block is one cause but not the only cause
• List three mechanisms that can produce AV dissociation: complete block, default (sinus slowing), and usurpation (accelerated lower pacemaker)
• Describe the high-level monitor changes bedside teams may look for after nodal-targeted bradycardia interventions
• Explain transcutaneous pacing and what electrical capture looks like on the monitor
• Differentiate capture from failure to capture during early pacing support
• Describe the monitor-tech role during emergent bradycardia response: observe, communicate, and document objective rhythm changes