What does atrial trigeminy look like on an EKG?

What does atrial trigeminy look like on an EKG?

• A. A run of a PAB following two normal cycles
• B. Two distinct QRS waves following a P wave
• C. A continuous normal rhythm
• D. Alternating P and QRS complexes

Answer: (A)

Atrial trigeminy refers to a specific form of irregular heartbeat characterized by the presence of a premature atrial beat (PAB) that occurs after every two normal sinus beats. On an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), this manifests as a pattern where you will see two normal P waves followed by one that is premature. This creates a repetitive sequence where you can observe that the rhythm consists of two consecutive normal cycles (normal P waves and QRS complexes) followed by a PAB and its corresponding QRS complex, which indicates that the heart has a consistent rhythm interrupted by the premature beat.

This pattern is distinct and can be easily identified on an EKG, as it shows the regularity of the normal beats being interrupted by the premature atrial contraction. Understanding this helps in recognizing the underlying rhythm and its clinical significance, which is crucial for further management and treatment of the underlying condition.