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Results:
ECG STAT April 20, 2026
Wide QRS Complex: DDx

Key Points: A QRS duration greater than 120 ms reflects delayed or abnormal ventricular depolarization. A wide QRS may be chronic and benign in context, or it may be the…

Weekly Workout April 20, 2026
UMEM Cases, Part 4: When the Computer Misses the Rhythm and Flutter Fakes a STEMI

A 44-year-old man with severe cardiomyopathy, an LVAD, chronic amiodarone therapy, and an AICD presents with palpitations. His ECG shows a regular wide-complex tachycardia, but the rate is only 135….

ECG STAT April 11, 2026
Junctional Tachycardia

Key Points: Junctional tachycardia is an uncommon supraventricular tachycardia arising from the AV junction, usually due to enhanced automaticity rather than reentry. It is usually a regular narrow-complex tachycardia, although…

ECG STAT April 11, 2026
Dysrhythmias in LVAD Patients

Key Points: Continuous-flow LVADs can mask cardiovascular collapse. Patients may remain awake during sustained VT or even VF because the pump can provide temporary flow. Treat the rhythm and the…

ECG STAT April 10, 2026
Severe Hypothermia

Key Points: Severe hypothermia causes predictable ECG slowing and conduction delay. Sinus bradycardia, PR/QRS/QT prolongation, and atrial fibrillation with a slow ventricular response are common as core temperature falls. Osborn…

ECG STAT April 1, 2026
Heart Rhythm: Basics

Key Points: Don’t trust the ECG machines automated interpretation. Confirm the rhythm yourself. Start with the ventricles (R–R pattern), then the atria (P waves), then the AV relationship (PR behavior/P:QRS)….

ECG STAT April 1, 2026
Normal STAT ECGs

Key Points: Clinical Context: A single normal 12-lead ECG in the emergent setting does not exclude all life-threatening conditions such as early occlusion MI/ACS, PE, tamponade, or aortic catastrophe. Do…

ECG STAT April 1, 2026
Computer Interpreted “Normal” ECGs

Key Points: Do not trust a computer read of “normal” without your own review. Computer interpretation is especially unreliable for subtle or early ischemia, including hyperacute T waves, minimal ST…

ECG STAT April 1, 2026
Abnormal STAT ECGs

Key Points: Clinical Context: Abnormal ECGs must be interpreted within the patient’s presentation. Not all abnormalities are life-threatening, and high-risk conditions can still appear subtle or even “normal.” Serial Monitoring:…

ECG STAT March 20, 2026
South African Flag Sign: OMI Pattern

Key Points: Pattern: The South African Flag sign is the combination of ST elevation in I, aVL, and V2 with reciprocal ST depression in III. It is a subtle but…

ECG STAT March 11, 2026
Pacemaker Syndrome

Key Points: Pacemaker syndrome is a hemodynamic problem caused by loss of proper atrioventricular (AV) synchrony. Most commonly occurs with ventricular pacing that produces retrograde atrial activation, but can also…

ECG STAT March 11, 2026
Right Atrial Enlargement (RAE)

Key Points: RAE reflects increased right atrial size or pressure load and is usually a marker of underlying pulmonary or right-sided cardiac disease. The classic ECG clue is a tall,…

ECG STAT March 11, 2026
Occlusion MI in Ventricular Paced Rhythms: STEMI Equivalent Pattern

Key Points: Ventricular paced rhythms can mask acute coronary occlusion. Pacing alters depolarization and produces expected secondary ST-T abnormalities, so standard STEMI criteria are unreliable. Appropriate discordance is expected in…

ECG STAT March 11, 2026
The Life Savers: Critical ECGs Hub

Key Points: Life Savers are the can’t-miss ECGs. These patterns may reflect immediately life-threatening ischemic, electrical, mechanical, obstructive, toxicologic, or metabolic emergencies. This hub is built for rapid action. Use…

ECG STAT March 11, 2026
Stepwise Approach to STAT ECGs Hub

Key Points: Use a consistent ECG routine. In acute care, a repeatable approach reduces misses and helps you recognize dangerous patterns faster. Prioritize life threats first. Instability, malignant rhythms, occlusion…

ECG STAT March 11, 2026
ECG Basics & Fundamentals Hub

Key Points: This hub organizes ECG basics and fundamentals into three complementary “start here” pathways: ECG definitions and measurement, how ECGs work and are generated, and the acute care STAT…

ECG STAT March 11, 2026
Occlusion MI in Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB): STEMI Equivalent Pattern

Key Points: LBBB does not exclude acute coronary occlusion. LBBB produces abnormal depolarization and expected secondary ST-T changes, which can mask or mimic ischemia. Acute OMI can still be recognized…

ECG STAT March 7, 2026
Electrical Alternans

Key Points: Electrical alternans is a beat-to-beat alternation in QRS amplitude, axis, or both. It is classically associated with a large pericardial effusion and may support concern for tamponade, but…

ECG STAT March 7, 2026
Pericardial Effusion

Key Points: Pericardial effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac. ECG may provide clues, but it is not sensitive enough to exclude effusion. Important ECG clues include…

ECG STAT March 7, 2026
STEMI vs LVH: DDx

Key Points: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with strain is one of the most common and dangerous STEMI mimics, particularly in the anterior leads, and is a frequent cause of false-positive…

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