Core
Results:
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT): Core Overview
Key Points VT is a ventricular-origin rhythm: ≥3 consecutive ventricular beats, QRS >120 ms, rate usually 120–250 bpm. Types include monomorphic VT, polymorphic VT, torsades (PMVT with long QT), ventricular…
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) Mimics
Key Points: Initial Assumption: Any wide (QRS >120 ms), regular tachycardia should be considered ventricular tachycardia (VT) until clearly proven otherwise. VT Characteristics: VT generally has a ventricular rate of…
Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (pVT) Arrest
Key Points Defibrillation First, Minimal Pauses: pVT is rapidly fatal without immediate shocks and high‑quality CPR. Charge defibrillator during compressions and resume compressions immediately after each shock. pVT is a…
Shark Fin “Massive STEMI” Pattern
Key Points: High-risk STEMI morphology caused by fusion of the terminal QRS, J point, ST segment, and T wave into a single “triangular” deflection. Often massive apparent STE with loss…
Premature Atrial Complexes (PACs)
Key Points PACs are early atrial depolarizations from an ectopic focus that create a premature P wave with a different morphology and axis than the sinus P wave, usually followed…
Electrical Storm
Key Points Definition: Electrical storm is defined as three or more episodes of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), or appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks within 24 hours. Some…
Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA) Arrest
Key Points Definition: Organized electrical activity on ECG without a palpable pulse. PEA is a non-shockable arrest rhythm requiring CPR, epinephrine, and identification of reversible causes. Confirmation: Verify in two…
Asystole (Cardiac Arrest)
Key Points Definition: Asystole is a non-shockable cardiac arrest rhythm characterized by absence of ventricular electrical activity. Treat with high-quality CPR, epinephrine every 3–5 minutes, and an urgent search for…
The Life Savers: Critical ECG Patterns
Key Points Definition: Critical ECGs are time-sensitive, life-threatening cardiac or systemic conditions that demand immediate ECG recognition to prevent death or irreversible organ injury. These are the “can’t-miss” rhythm strips…
Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) Arrest
Key Points Defibrillation First, Minimal Pauses: VF is rapidly fatal without immediate shocks and high‑quality CPR. Charge during compressions and resume compressions immediately after each shock. Chaotic Electrical Activity: VF…
Ventricular Flutter (V-Flutter)
Key Points Definition: A malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmia with a regular, sine-wave–like waveform at ~250–350 bpm, no isoelectric baseline, and no discernible P/QRS/T distinction. Clinical importance: Rapidly degenerates into ventricular fibrillation…
Post-Cardiac Arrest ECGs
Key Points Early post-ROSC ECGs often mislead. Within the first 8–10 minutes, transient global ischemia and catecholamines can exaggerate ST changes. Plan a repeat at 10–15 minutes before making cath…
Unstable Bradyarrhythmias
Key Points: Unstable bradyarrhythmias cause poor perfusion which can rapidly progress to shock, irreversible organ injury, or cardiac arrest. Priority: Do not treat the heart rate alone — treat clinical…
Unstable Tachyarrhythmias
Key Points: Intervene Immediately: Unstable tachyarrhythmias pose significant risk for rapid clinical deterioration that may lead to irreversible end-organ damage or cardiac arrest. Clinical Indicators of Instability: Altered Mental Status:…
Premature Junctional Complexes (PJCs)
Key Points PJCs are premature impulses from ectopic foci in or near the AV junction. ECG hallmark is a narrow premature beat with an absent or retrograde P wave. Retrograde…
J Point: Basics
Key Points The J point is the junction where QRS ends and the ST segment begins. It is a location, not a waveform. ST deviation is judged at the J…
J Wave: Basics
Key Points Definitions: The J point is the QRS–ST junction (a location). A J wave is an added deflection at or just after that point (notch or slur). Why it…
Severe Hypothermia
Key Points Severe hypothermia causes rate- and temperature-dependent ECG changes that signal high arrhythmia risk. Recognition guides safe rewarming and prevents iatrogenic VF. Osborn (J) waves may appear and typically…
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
Key Points SCAD Definition: A spontaneous, non-atherosclerotic tear in the coronary artery wall, often affecting young, otherwise low-risk women (including peripartum patients). SCAD presents similarly to ACS and is an…
Proper ECG Electrode Placement
Key Points A diagnostic 12‑lead ECG is only as good as your electrode placement. Misplacement can mimic MI, BBB, or poor R‑wave progression and trigger unnecessary workups. A standard 12‑lead…
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