Sinoatrial arrest is a medical condition wherein the sinoatrial node of the heart transiently ceases to generate the electrical impulses that normally stimulate the myocardial tissues to contract and thus the heart to beat.
This condition can be detected on an electrocardiogram (ECG) as a brief period of irregular length with no electrical activity before either the sinoatrial node resumes normal pacing, or another pacemaker begins pacing.
If a pacemaker other than the sinoatrial node is pacing the heart, this condition is known as an escape rhythm.
Differential diagnosis of the two conditions is possible by examining the exact length of the interruption of cardiac activity.
If the next available pacemaker takes over, it is in the following order: Treatment includes stop medications that suppress the sinus node (beta blocker, calcium channel blocker, digitalis); may need pacing.