Final answer:
The old term for dysrhythmias originating in the AV junction is 'junctional rhythm'. These dysrhythmias belong to a broader category including extra beats, supraventricular tachycardias, ventricular arrhythmias, and bradyarrhythmias, and might need intervention with a pacemaker or defibrillator.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term formerly used for dysrhythmias that originate in the AV junction is junctional rhythm. This type of rhythm is seen when the AV node acts as the primary pacemaker of the heart, producing a heart rate typically between 40 to 60 beats per minute.
Arrhythmias can be broadly categorized into four groups: extra beats, supraventricular tachycardias, ventricular arrhythmias, and bradyarrhythmias. When the normal conduction pathway is interrupted, arrhythmias can develop, leading to irregular, too fast, or too slow heartbeats. The most common types of AV block are first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree blocks, each indicating a different level of delay or blockage in impulse conduction from the SA node through the AV node to the ventricles.
The disorders of heart rhythm such as junctional rhythm can be diagnosed using an electrocardiogram (ECG) and may require treatment with medications, lifestyle changes, or the implantation of an artificial pacemaker. In severe cases, cardiac defibrillator may be necessary to provide an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm.