In ventricular tachycardia, how long do the QRS complexes last at a minimum?

In ventricular tachycardia (VT), the defining characteristic of the QRS complexes is their duration. The minimum duration for QRS complexes in VT is typically 120 milliseconds. This duration indicates that the electrical impulse is originating in the ventricles rather than through the normal conduction pathway in the heart.

During VT, the impulses are generated and conducted in an abnormal manner, which results in wider QRS complexes. A width of less than 120 milliseconds is generally associated with normal conduction pathways or other types of tachycardias that are not ventricular in origin. Therefore, the standard for recognizing VT is a QRS duration that meets or exceeds 120 milliseconds.

This standard is crucial in distinguishing VT from other arrhythmias and in managing patient care effectively during a tachycardic episode. Understanding these measurements allows healthcare providers to make informed decisions about the urgency and methods of treatment needed for a patient experiencing this condition.