In which type of arrhythmia would you most likely find “P-waves” that are not followed by QRS complexes?

In the context of arrhythmias, the presence of P-waves that are not followed by QRS complexes is particularly indicative of a more severe type of heart block, specifically third-degree AV block, also known as complete heart block. In this condition, the electrical signals in the heart are completely interrupted between the atria and ventricles. Consequently, the atria may continue to generate P-waves while the ventricles fail to respond to these signals, resulting in a scenario where the P-waves are dissociated from the QRS complexes.

In third-degree AV block, the atria and ventricles beat independently. The P-waves occur at a normal rate but may not correlate with the QRS complexes, which are generated by an intrinsic escape rhythm from the ventricles at a much slower rate. This characteristic leads to a situation where P-waves can appear regularly, while QRS complexes might be absent or only appear inconsistently, reflecting the loss of synchronized conduction through the AV node.

Other types of arrhythmias, such as first-degree AV block or atrial fibrillation, present differently. In first-degree AV block, there is usually a consistent delay in the conduction from the atria to the ventricles, but every P-wave is