Abstract
Facilitation of A-V nodal and automatic ventricular rhythms by ectopic ventricular contractions was described. In one case only A-V nodal beats were induced, but in the other three, the self-sustained rhythms presented themselves as intermittent parasystole, nodal tachycardia, and automatic ventricular beats. The elicited automatic rhythms were never seen after im-pulses traveling in an orthograde fashion. The term "facilitation" was employed here in reference to disturbances in impulse formation, contrasting with its previous use in connection chiefly to impulse conduction.
The examples presented represent another instance in which an automatic rhythm was precipitated by a coupled (true) extrasystole, thereby emphasizing the relationship between both types of ectopic beats.
