What is Junctional Tachycardia?

Junctional tachycardia is characterized by a rapid heart rhythm originating from the area near the atrioventricular (AV) node, specifically the junction between the atria and ventricles. It typically presents with a ventricular rate exceeding 100 beats per minute, making it a notable form of supraventricular tachycardia. The ability of this rhythm to occur arises from ectopic pacemaker activity within the AV junction when the normal pacemaker activity of the sinoatrial (SA) node is impaired or absent.

This rhythm is distinctively different from rhythms originating in the SA node, the ventricles, or those classified as normal heart rates. For instance, rhythms that begin in the SA node would not be classified as junctional tachycardia, as the SA node is the heart's primary pacemaker. Similarly, a slow rhythm originating from the ventricles would be classified differently, reflecting bradycardia or other forms of ventricular dysrhythmias. Normal heart rate rhythms would fall within a typical range of 60 to 100 beats per minute, contrasting sharply with the elevated rates observed in junctional tachycardia. Thus, the definition encapsulates the correct nature and origin of the condition, positioning option B