What defines junctional trigeminy?

What defines junctional trigeminy?

• A. A PJB after each normal cycle
• B. A PJB after every three normal cycles
• C. A PJB after two normal cycles
• D. A single PJB followed by two skips

Answer: (C)

Junctional trigeminy is characterized by the occurrence of a premature junctional beat (PJB) that follows every two normal sinus beats. This means that for every two beats generated by the sinus node, there is one junctional beat that occurs, creating a repeated pattern. In essence, the rhythm consists of a sequence where normal beats are consistently interrupted by a junctional beat, demonstrating a predictable interval that relates to the normal sinus activity.

This pattern is fundamental to understanding how different arrhythmias manifest and provides insight into electrical activity within the heart's conduction system. Recognizing junctional trigeminy is crucial in clinical settings as it can signify an underlying issue with the heart's electrical conduction pathways, thus making accurate identification vital for patient management and treatment strategies.