Which arrhythmia features a pattern of alternating normal and abnormal heartbeats?

Bigeminy refers to a specific pattern of arrhythmia characterized by the alternating occurrence of a normal heartbeat followed by an abnormal heartbeat, typically a premature contraction. In this case, each normal beat is followed by a premature beat, creating a repeating pattern of two beats. This can often be observed in practice through rhythm strips, where clinicians may notice the distinctive pairing of normal and premature beats, which is indicative of bigeminy.

Understanding this pattern is crucial because it can signify underlying cardiac issues, such as increased ectopic activity that can lead to further complications if left unaddressed. Recognizing bigeminy allows healthcare professionals to assess the patient’s symptoms and overall stability, enabling appropriate intervention and management strategies.

Other options, while related to rhythm disturbances, do not describe the specific alternating sequence of normal and abnormal beats found in bigeminy:

• Trigeminy involves a pattern where every two normal beats are followed by an abnormal beat, differing from the two-beat pattern in bigeminy.

• Wandering atrial pacemaker showcases varying pacemaker sites in the atrium, leading to changes in the shape and timing of P waves but does not specifically alternate normal and abnormal beats.

• Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is characterized