What is the heart's ectopic pacemaker?

Ectopic pacing is a phenomenon in which pacing signals are generated in other parts of the heart except the normal sinus node and control the heartbeat. Under normal circumstances, the pacing signals are transmitted from the sinus node to the ventricles through the atrial conduction system, causing the heart to contract and relax according to a certain rhythm.

Ectopic pacing is usually caused by cardiac diseases, electrolyte disorders, drugs or other factors. When the function of the sinus node is impaired or the electrical signals generated by it are blocked, the cells in other parts of the heart become ectopic pacing points and emit autonomous electrical signals to control the contraction of the heart. Common ectopic pacing points include atrial ectopic pacing points, ventricular ectopic pacing points, etc. Ectopic pacemakers may lead to the disorder of cardiac electrical activity and affect the normal function of heart.