Amp Up Your Skills with the Certified EKG Technician (CET) Practice Exam 2025 – Pulse Your Way to Success!

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a type of abnormal heart rhythm that originates in the ventricles, the heart's lower chambers. On an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), VT is characterized by a series of wide QRS complexes that occur at a rapid heart rate, typically exceeding 100 beats per minute.

The key feature of VT is the wide QRS complexes, which occur because the electrical impulses are originating in the ventricles rather than the normal conduction pathway that starts from the sinoatrial (SA) node and passes through the atria and ventricles. When the impulse originates in the ventricles, it travels through the myocardium, leading to a delay in ventricular depolarization and resulting in wide QRS complexes.

The rapid rate further distinguishes VT from other rhythms, as it signifies that the ventricles are not filling adequately before contracting, which can compromise cardiac output and may lead to serious complications if not treated promptly. Understanding these characteristics is crucial for recognizing VT on an EKG and taking appropriate clinical actions.