Skip to main content

Junctional escape or junctional rhythm ! Let me explain

Junctional escape or junctional rhythm ! 

Let me explain these in more detail !!!!

Junctional escape or junctional rhythm


So I know lots of confusion exists in the minds of Drs especially the very Jnr regarding some commonly heard terminologies & they always fumble when they come across any such tracings ! So the commonly heard terminologies are

1. junctional beat ! 

2. Junctional (escape) beat !

3. (Premature) junctional complex (PJC) /beat !!!!!!

So I will try to create a difference or differentiation among them


Some other terms which are used very frequently & mostly wrongly interchanged ! 

1. Ventricular escape beats 

3. ventricular extra systoles 

4. vs ventricular escape Rhythm 


Ventricular escape beats may occur when there is a significant pause in the sinus and also total lack of junctional escape complexes!!! 

Morphologically the complex’s will be quite variable depending on site of origin ! Usually QRS wide and bizarre, consistent with ventricular origin!!!!

As described V extra systole or PVC will not be preceded by a pause rather on the contrary they are often followed by a compensatory pause.


Ventricular escape rhythm 

Succession of ventricular escape beats in absence of adequate SN function

a. Rate typically 30 to 40 bpm.

b. usually wide, complexes


ECG shown above Narrow complex QRS with no P waves,,rate is 44 BPM.inverted T waves in inf leads..this seems to be junctional escape rhythm.

Comments