Final answer:
Sinus rhythm is the normal beating of the heart established by the sinoatrial node, while a run of V-Tach is a short burst of rapid heartbeats from the ventricles. V-Tach is a dangerous form of arrhythmia that may require urgent medical treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Sinus Rhythm with a Run of V-Tach
The normal, rhythmical beating of the heart is called sinus rhythm, which is established by the sinoatrial node (SA node), located in the right atrium. Sinus rhythm represents the normal contractile pattern of the heart, where the pacemaker cells generate electrical signals for the heart to contract. When talking about a 'run of V-Tach,' we are referring to a burst of ventricular tachycardia (V-Tach) which is a type of arrhythmia characterized by a fast heart rate that originates in the ventricles. This can be an acute event within a normal sinus rhythm, causing the rhythm to become dangerously rapid temporarily.
Ventricular tachycardia requires medical assessment and sometimes urgent treatment such as cardioversion or defibrillation, especially if it persists and poses a risk to the patient's health. On electrocardiogram (ECG), this is seen as a run of rapid heartbeats arising from the ventricles, distinguished from the regular heartbeat pattern established by the SA node.
During sinus rhythm, the heart rate is typically between 60 to 100 beats per minute, with any increases beyond this requiring sympathetic stimulation, according to Figure 19.33 which illustrates the effects of parasympathetic and sympathetic stimulation on normal sinus rhythm. Therefore, a run of V-Tach significantly accelerates heart rate, often above 100 bpm, indicating a potential heart emergency if sustained.