What is a junctional tachycardia?

Junctional tachycardia is a type of abnormal heart rhythm that originates in the atrioventricular (AV) junction, which is the electrical connection between the atria (upper chambers of the heart) and the ventricles (lower chambers). This condition is characterized by a rapid heart rate, typically above 100 beats per minute in adults, and involves the AV node in the generation of the abnormal rhythm. It is important to differentiate junctional tachycardia from other types of tachycardia, such as atrial tachycardia, which originates in the atria. In junctional tachycardia, there is an abnormal focus or "pacemaker" within the AV junction that takes over the heart's normal rhythm. This can lead to a situation known as AV dissociation, where the atria and ventricles are not synchronized, and the heart's electrical signals are not properly coordinated. This can result in a less efficient pumping of blood and may cause symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, or fatigue. The treatment for junctional tachycardia may include medications to control the heart rate, electrical cardioversion to reset the heart's rhythm, or in some cases, the use of a pacemaker to regulate the heart's electrical activity.

Junctional tachycardia is a form of supraventricular tachycardia characterized by involvement of the AV node. It can be contrasted to atrial tachycardia. It is a tachycardia associated with the generation of impulses in a focus in the region of the atrioventricular node due to an A-V disassociation.