Life Savers
Latest
Yamaguchi Pattern: Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (ApHCM)
Key Points Definition and mechanics: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy variant with maximal hypertrophy at the LV apex (apical HCM, ApHCM). LVOT is often not obstructed at rest; some patients have mid-ventricular obstruction…
Syncope Emergencies
Key Points ECG and monitor early: First-time seizure, near-syncope, unexplained LOC, or syncope all get a 12-lead now and continuous telemetry. Repeat ECG during symptoms or after another event. History…
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:…
STEMI Mimics
Key Points Context Matters: ECGs must be interpreted in the clinical setting. Chest pain, shock, or ACS risk factors increase pretest probability of STEMI/OMI, while atypical presentations lower it. Prevalence:…
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…
Wolff-Parkinson White (WPW) Syndrome
Key Points Pattern vs syndrome: WPW pattern = pre-excitation on ECG without symptoms. WPW syndrome = pattern plus tachyarrhythmia symptoms (palpitations, syncope, “seizure,” aborted sudden cardiac arrest). Mechanism: Congenital accessory…
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 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…
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…
Dysrhythmias in LVAD Patients
Key Points Continuous-flow LVADs can mask shock: patients may talk through VT/VF because pump flow maintains some perfusion. Treat the rhythm, not the appearance. First steps in any unstable LVAD…
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…
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy vs. STEMI
Key Points Takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy is a transient, non-ischemic LV dysfunction—classically apical ballooning with basal hyperkinesis—often after emotional or physical stress. Presentation mimics occlusion MI (chest pain, ECG changes, elevated…
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…
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…
Artifact vs. Ventricular Rhythms
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…
Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (MMVT)
Key Points MMVT is the most common sustained VT. It shows a single, uniform QRS morphology throughout. Classified as sustained if lasting > 30 seconds or associated with hemodynamic instability….
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…
Artifact vs. STEMI
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…
VT vs SVT with Aberrancy
Key Points ECG alone cannot reliably distinguish VT from SVT-aberrancy in many cases. Use ECG features to rule in VT, not to exclude it. Default: treat regular WCT as VT…
Bidirectional Ventricular Tachycardia (BiVT)
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…
Free Content
Jump on our email list for free tips and insights delivered to your inbox monthly. No spam - just quick pearls and ECG education.
Categories
- No categories
© 2025 ECG Weekly. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Powered by the member(dev) platform
Loading...