ECG: Ectopic Atrial Rhythms

Question 1

Ectopic atrial rhythms occur when a site outside of the sinus node, but within the atria creates action potentials faster than the sinus node and at a rate less than how many BPM¿

Answer 1

100 beats per minute.

(This ectopic focus becomes the predominant pacemaker of the heart).

Question 2

In Ectopic Atrial Rhythms
Would the P wave have its normal sinus appearance¿
(upright in lead II and biphasic in V1),

Answer 2

NO.
As the origination of this electrical activity is not from the sinus node.

The P wave would not have its normal sinus appearance (upright in lead II and biphasic in V1),
***however it would have a different morphology depending on exactly where it originates. This is referred to as an “ectopic atrial rhythm” or “ectopic P wave”.