Ectopic foci generate action potentials that do not follow normal conduction pathways. What is a consequence for ventricular depolarization?

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Multiple Choice

Ectopic foci generate action potentials that do not follow normal conduction pathways. What is a consequence for ventricular depolarization?

Explanation:
Ectopic foci fire impulses outside the fast His-Purkinje system, so the impulse reaches the ventricles through slower, cell-to-cell conduction in the myocardium rather than through the rapid Purkinje network. This slower spread causes a longer, less synchronized ventricular activation, which on ECG shows as a wider, longer-lasting QRS complex. In short, ventricular depolarization takes more time when activation does not follow the normal fast conduction pathways.

Ectopic foci fire impulses outside the fast His-Purkinje system, so the impulse reaches the ventricles through slower, cell-to-cell conduction in the myocardium rather than through the rapid Purkinje network. This slower spread causes a longer, less synchronized ventricular activation, which on ECG shows as a wider, longer-lasting QRS complex. In short, ventricular depolarization takes more time when activation does not follow the normal fast conduction pathways.

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