What is the characteristic EKG appearance of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia?

The characteristic EKG appearance of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) includes narrow QRS complexes. This occurs because PSVT originates from a reentrant circuit above the level of the ventricles, typically in the atria or the AV node, where the electrical impulses travel through normal conduction pathways. As a result, the ventricles are activated in a synchronized manner, leading to the narrow QRS complex appearance on the EKG.

In PSVT, you often see a rapid heart rate, typically exceeding 100 beats per minute, along with a consistent pattern where the QRS complex duration is less than 120 milliseconds. The narrowness indicates that the QRS arises from normal ventricular conduction rather than aberrant conduction pathways, which would produce a wider complex.

Understanding EKG characteristics such as these is crucial for differentiating between various types of tachycardia and knowing the potential interventions and management that may be required based on the specific arrhythmia being presented.