The Post-Arrest Wide Complex Rhythm That Was Not VT

ECG Weekly Workout with Dr. Amal Mattu

HPI

A 35-year-old woman arrives at the emergency department after a witnessed seizure and brief cardiac arrest with ROSC. Her arrival ECG shows a very wide complex rhythm that the machine labels as ventricular tachycardia.

Before watching this week’s workout, review the arrival ECG carefully and consider:

    1. Is this truly ventricular tachycardia or a mimic that requires a different treatment?
    2. What specific clues on this ECG challenge the diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia in this scenario?
    3. Would you treat this rhythm with amiodarone or another antiarrhythmic?