Final answer:
Junctional Rhythm is a backup heart rhythm originating from the AV node when the normal pacemaker fails. A slow heart rate resulting from this can be treated with an artificial pacemaker programmed to regulate the heartbeat.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Junctional Rhythm, also known as Junctional Escape Rhythm, is a type of heart arrhythmia that originates in the atrioventricular node (AV node) when the sinoatrial (SA) node fails to initiate the heartbeat or the signal fails to reach the AV node. In this scenario, the AV node serves as a backup pacemaker for the heart, typically producing a heart rate that's slower than normal. This type of rhythm can be identified by an electrocardiogram (ECG) which may show absent or inverted P waves followed by a normal QRS complex. To address this condition, especially when it results in a heart rate that is too slow, a cardiologist might choose to implant an artificial pacemaker. This device delivers electrical impulses to stimulate the heart to contract at a proper rate, ensuring effective blood circulation.
Cardiac arrhythmias can vary in severity and may lead to more serious conditions such as stroke or heart failure. To combat chronic arrhythmias, artificial pacemakers are used, possibly with built-in defibrillators, allowing cardiologists to program them to deliver necessary stimulation to maintain a healthy heart rhythm.