What is the usual origin of a broad complex tachycardia?

The usual origin of a broad complex tachycardia is ventricular in nature. This distinction is important in the assessment and management of tachycardias during resuscitation and emergency situations. Broad complex tachycardias occur when the QRS duration exceeds 120 milliseconds, a characteristic typically associated with ventricular rhythms.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is often identifiable by the morphology of the QRS complexes and can result from various conditions such as myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, or electrolyte imbalances. Understanding that a broad complex tachycardia is likely of ventricular origin allows clinicians to initiate appropriate management strategies, which may include antiarrhythmic medications or advanced interventions such as cardioversion, particularly if the tachycardia is symptomatic or unstable.

This contrasts with other origins of tachycardia, such as atrial or supraventricular sources, which typically generate narrow complex rhythms. A junctional origin can also lead to narrow or normal QRS complexes depending on the conduction pattern, thereby highlighting the importance of differential diagnosis in the context of tachycardias.