Interv Akut Kardiol. 2008;7(4):137-141

Differential diagnosis of wide complex tachycardia

Luděk Haman
I. interní klinika Fakultní nemocnice v Hradci Králové

Initial evaluation of every tachyarrhythmia begins with question whether the QRS complex is wide or narrow. Most important cause of wide complex tachycardia (WCT) is ventricular tachycardia (VT). A narrow complex usually indicates supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), however, SVT can also manifest as a WCT. Differentiation between SVT with a wide QRS due to aberrancy or preexcitation and VT often present a diagnostic challenge. The identification of the origin is critical because the treatment for each is different and improper therapy may have serious consequences. Following report is focused on differential diagnosis particularly using standard 12-lead ECG.

Keywords: tachycardia, wide QRS complex, ventricular tachycardia

Published: December 20, 2008  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Haman L. Differential diagnosis of wide complex tachycardia. Interv Akut Kardiol. 2008;7(4):137-141.
Download citation

References

  1. Wellens HJJ, Conover M. Wide QRS tachycardia. In. Wellens HJJ, Conover M. The ECG in emergency decision making. 2nd ed. St Louis, Missouri: Saunders Elsevier, 2006: 128-157.
  2. Goldberger ZD, Rho RW, Page RL. Approach to the diagnosis and initial management of the stable adult patient with a wide complex tachycardia. Am J Cardiol 2008; 101: 1456-1466. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  3. Brugada P, Brugada J, Mont L, Smeets J, Andries E. A new approach to the differential diagnosis of a regular tachycardia with a wide QRS complex. Circulation 1991; 83: 1649-1659. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  4. Vereckei A, Duray G, Szenasi G, Altemose GT, Miller JM. Application of a new algorithm in the differential diagnosis of wide QRS complex tachycardia. Eur Heart J 2007; 28: 589-600. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  5. Vereckei A, Duray G, Szenasi G, Altemose GT, Miller JM. New algorithm using only lead aVR for differential diagnosis of wide QRS complex tachycardia. Heart Rhythm 2008; 5: 89-98. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...




Interventional Cardiology

Madam, Sir,
please be aware that the website on which you intend to enter, not the general public because it contains technical information about medicines, including advertisements relating to medicinal products. This information and communication professionals are solely under §2 of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. Is active persons authorized to prescribe or supply (hereinafter expert).
Take note that if you are not an expert, you run the risk of danger to their health or the health of other persons, if you the obtained information improperly understood or interpreted, and especially advertising which may be part of this site, or whether you used it for self-diagnosis or medical treatment, whether in relation to each other in person or in relation to others.

I declare:

  1. that I have met the above instruction
  2. I'm an expert within the meaning of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. the regulation of advertising, as amended, and I am aware of the risks that would be a person other than the expert input to these sites exhibited


No

Yes

If your statement is not true, please be aware
that brings the risk of danger to their health or the health of others.