Key Points BiVT is a regular wide-complex VT with beat-to-beat alternation of QRS axis and/or bundle-branch pattern (often alternating RBBB/LBBB or 180° frontal-plane axis shift). Most common cause is severe…
Key Points Idiopathic monomorphic VT arising from the right ventricular outflow tract. Most patients have no structural heart disease; catecholamine and cAMP-mediated triggers are common. Classic ECG pattern: LBBB morphology…
Key Points Idiopathic reentrant VT arising within the left Purkinje system, most often the left posterior fascicle. Patients are usually young and lack structural heart disease. Signature ECG: RBBB-like morphology…
Key Points Treat the patient, not just the number or rhythm. If the strip explains hypotension, ischemic chest pain, shock, altered mentation, or hypoxia, manage instability (cardioversion/pacing) before granular analysis….
Key Points Definition: Slow ventricular tachycardia is defined as a wide complex tachycardia with a ventricular rate between 100–120 bpm. Distinction: Typical sustained VT usually exceeds 120 bpm. When encountering…
Key Points Purpose: The Lewis Lead (modified S5 lead) is a bedside ECG modification designed to enhance visualization of atrial activity. It is particularly useful for differentiating VT from SVT…
Key Points Definition: QRS >120 ms with an irregular ventricular rate. Clinical Priority: Always first consider AF with accessory pathway (AF + WPW) and polymorphic VT (PMVT, including torsades) —…
Key Point Types: The two main BBBs are Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) and Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB). Impact on ECG: Both widen the QRS (>120 ms) and produce…
Key Points Definition: A fusion beat occurs when two impulses — one from the normal conduction system (typically supraventricular) and one from an ectopic ventricular focus (e.g., during VT) —…
Key Points RBBB delays right ventricular activation. The left ventricle depolarizes normally via the left bundle; the right ventricle is activated late through myocardial spread. ECG hallmark: wide QRS and…
Key Points Wide QRS & Repolarization Abnormalities: Bundle branch blocks (BBBs) and ventricular-paced rhythms (RV, LV, BiV) cause abnormal ventricular depolarization, leading to secondary ST segment and T wave changes—even…
Key Points 1. Paced Rhythms and Acute MI Detection: Ventricular paced rhythms significantly alter ST segment and T wave morphology, complicating acute myocardial infarction (MI) recognition. Accurate ECG interpretation in…
Key Points LBBB Does Not Exclude Acute Coronary Occlusion: LBBB alters ventricular activation, leading to expected secondary ST/T abnormalities. However, acute occlusion myocardial infarction (OMI) can and must still be…
Key Points Wide QRS Complex Rhythm: Ventricular escape rhythms (aka idioventricular rhythms) are characterized by a wide QRS duration (>120 ms), absent or dissociated P-waves, and a regular, slow ventricular…
Key Points Definition: Appropriate discordance is a normal repolarization pattern in which the ST segment and T wave are directed opposite to the main QRS vector. It reflects expected changes…
Key Point Overview: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is an intraventricular conduction delay that results from a block in the left bundle branch of the heart’s electrical conduction system. It…
Key Point Wide QRS bradycardias usually reflect infranodal conduction disease (His–Purkinje or below), making them much more dangerous than narrow QRS bradycardias. These rhythms often lead to hemodynamic instability and…
Key Points Definition: PMVT is a ventricular tachycardia characterized by beat-to-beat variations in QRS morphology, axis, and duration, reflecting multiple ventricular foci or reentrant circuits. Clinical Importance: PMVT is often…
Key Points Recognizing the Danger: Sodium channel blocker toxicity can present with a variety of ECG changes that are critical to recognize, especially in patients with altered mental status or…
Key Points Definition: NSVT is defined as ≥3 consecutive ventricular beats, QRS duration >120 ms, rate typically 100-250 bpm (usually > 120 bpm), lasting less than 30 seconds without causing…