Emergencies

Results:
ECG STAT October 14, 2025
Prominent Upright T Wave in V1

Key Points: Normal T Wave in V1: The normal ECG typically shows a flat or inverted T wave in lead V1 in sinus rhythm. An upright T wave in V1 can…

ECG STAT October 11, 2025
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…

ECG STAT October 11, 2025
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…

ECG STAT October 11, 2025
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…

ECG STAT October 11, 2025
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…

ECG STAT October 11, 2025
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…

ECG STAT October 11, 2025
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:…

ECG STAT October 2, 2025
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)

Key Points: Definition: SCAD is a spontaneous, nonatherosclerotic separation of the coronary arterial wall caused by intramural hematoma, with or without an intimal tear. Expansion within the vessel wall compresses…

ECG STAT September 27, 2025
Cannabis (Marijuana) Toxicity

Key Point Cannabis use is rising across recreational and medical contexts. Causation is not proven, but multiple contemporary studies associate cannabis with acute cardiovascular events, including MI, stroke, arrhythmias, and…

ECG STAT September 19, 2025
Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm (AIVR)

Key Points: Definition: AIVR is a transient, usually benign ventricular rhythm often seen after reperfusion of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), whether spontaneous or post-intervention (PCI or thrombolysis). Rate Differentiation:…

ECG STAT September 15, 2025
BRASH Syndrome

Key Points BRASH is a synergistic spiral: bradycardia, renal failure, therapeutic AV-nodal blockade, shock, and hyperkalemia. The signature clue is disproportionate brady-shock despite only modest potassium elevation. Do not be…

ECG STAT September 7, 2025
ECG Findings in Tension Pneumothorax

Key Points Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis—ECG changes are nonspecific but can provide supportive evidence in the right context. Electrical changes are primarily due to mechanical effects of air…

ECG STAT September 2, 2025
ECG Findings in Aortic Dissection

Key Points: Aortic dissection or aneurysm can produce ischemic‑appearing ECGs due to coronary malperfusion, most often right coronary involvement causing inferior changes. Pseudo‑infarction patterns, ST‑deviation, and conduction blocks can occur…

ECG STAT September 1, 2025
Hyperacute T Waves: OMI Pattern

Key Points: Complexity of ACS: Arteries can spontaneously reperfuse or re-occlude. Understanding early ECG patterns of early  acute ischemia can help detect dynamic changes and prompt rapid interventions. ECG Pattern…

ECG STAT August 28, 2025
Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT)

Key Points: Rare, inherited ventricular arrhythmia triggered by adrenergic stress during exertion or emotion. Classically presents in children or adolescents with syncope or cardiac arrest despite a normal resting ECG…

ECG STAT August 25, 2025
Altered Mental Status Emergencies

Key Points: Always get a 12-lead ECG in altered or confused patients. The ECG is a great triage and risk stratification tool and can reveal reversible, life-threatening causes when history…

ECG STAT August 25, 2025
Metabolic Emergencies

Key Points: A Simple Yet Powerful Tool: With just a piece of paper and some ink, the ECG can be the earliest clue to life-threatening metabolic disease when labs are…

ECG STAT August 24, 2025
Artifact vs Ventricular Rhythms: DDx

Key Points Artifact is a common source of misdiagnosis for serious arrhythmias such as polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT), torsades de pointes, or ventricular fibrillation (VF). Always correlate the ECG findings…

ECG STAT August 20, 2025
Inverted U Waves

Key Points Definition: A negative deflection after the T wave (a true U wave) that is ≥0.5 mm deep in a lead where the T wave is upright. Why it…

ECG STAT August 18, 2025
STEMI vs Artifact: DDx

Key Points: Not all ST elevation is ischemia. The most common mimics at the point of care are atrial activity riding on the ST segment, motion or lead artifact, early…

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