A run of wide QRS complex tachycardia triggered by a PAC is likely categorized as what condition?

A run of wide QRS complex tachycardia triggered by a PAC (premature atrial contraction) is categorized as supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy. This classification is important because it indicates that the origin of the tachycardia is supraventricular, meaning it starts above the ventricles, typically from the atria or the atrioventricular node.

The presence of a wide QRS complex suggests that there is either a conduction delay in the ventricles or an abnormal pathway being used for conduction, which is termed aberrancy. When a PAC occurs, it can disrupt the normal conduction pathway and lead to aberrant conduction, resulting in a wide QRS complex during the tachycardia episode. This is different from sustained ventricular tachycardia, where the rhythm originates from the ventricles themselves without PAC triggers.

Understanding this mechanism helps in evaluating and managing patients with tachycardic episodes, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the origin and nature of the arrhythmia in clinical practice.