Pulseless ventricular tachycardia electrocardiogram
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aisha Adigun, B.Sc., M.D.[2]
Overview
An ECG is very helpful in the diagnosis of Pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Findings on an ECG suggestive or diagnostic of Pulseless ventricular tachycardia include regular R-R intervals, rapid ventricular rate with an indistinguishable atrial rate (absence of p-waves), Av dissociation, and a wide QRS complex (more 0.12 sec).
Electrocardiogram
An ECG is very helpful in the diagnosis of Pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Findings on an ECG suggestive or diagnostic of Pulseless ventricular tachycardia include;[1]
- Regular R-R intervals,
- Rapid ventricular rate with an indistinguishable atrial rate (absence of p-waves),
- Av dissociation, and
- A wide QRS complex (more 0.12 sec)
Several ECG criteria have been created to help diagnose VT. See Electrocardiogram for a comprehensive description of the criteria.
2017 AHA/ACC/HRS Guidelines for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death (DO NOT EDIT)[2]
Noninvasive Evaluation (DO NOT EDIT)[2]
| Class I |
| “1. In patients with sustained, hemodynamically stable, wide complex tachycardia, a 12-lead ECG during tachycardia should be obtained. (Level of Evidence B)” |
| “2. In patients with ventricular arrhythmia symptoms associated with exertion, suspected ischemic heart disease, or catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, exercise treadmill testing is useful to assess for exercise induced ventricular arrythmia. (Level of Evidence B)” |
| “3.In patients with suspected or documented ventricular arrythmia, a 12-lead ECG should be obtained in sinus rhythm to look for evidence of heart disease. (Level of Evidence B)” |
| “4. Ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring is useful to evaluate whether symptoms, including palpitations, presyncope, or syncope, are caused by ventricular arrhythmia. (Level of Evidence B)” |
References
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