All humans can conduct impulses retrograde up the AV node.

All humans can conduct impulses retrograde up the AV node.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not Applicable
• D. Unknown

Answer: (B)

Retrograde conduction through the AV node is not universal. The AV node mainly conducts impulses from atria to ventricles, but in some people the tissue and pathways around it can carry signals backward from ventricles to atria, which is what enables certain reentrant tachycardias. Others may have blocked or nonfunctional retrograde conduction due to intrinsic AV nodal properties, disease, or medications, so impulses cannot travel back up the node in every individual. Hence, the statement is not true for all humans.

Retrograde conduction through the AV node is not universal. The AV node mainly conducts impulses from atria to ventricles, but in some people the tissue and pathways around it can carry signals backward from ventricles to atria, which is what enables certain reentrant tachycardias. Others may have blocked or nonfunctional retrograde conduction due to intrinsic AV nodal properties, disease, or medications, so impulses cannot travel back up the node in every individual. Hence, the statement is not true for all humans.