Conceptual and literature basis for wide complex tachycardia and baseline ECG comparison

Christopher M Evenson; Anthony H Kashou; Sarah LoCoco; Christopher V DeSimone; Abhishek J Deshmukh; Phillip S Cuculich; Peter A Noseworthy; Adam M May

doi:10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2021.01.007

Conceptual and literature basis for wide complex tachycardia and baseline ECG comparison

J Electrocardiol. 2021 Mar-Apr:65:50-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2021.01.007. Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Authors

Christopher M Evenson¹, Anthony H Kashou², Sarah LoCoco¹, Christopher V DeSimone³, Abhishek J Deshmukh³, Phillip S Cuculich¹, Peter A Noseworthy³, Adam M May⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, USA.
² Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, USA.
³ Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, USA.
⁴ Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 33503517
DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2021.01.007

Abstract

Accurate wide QRS complex tachycardia (WCT) differentiation into either ventricular tachycardia or supraventricular wide complex tachycardia using 12‑lead electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation is essential for diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic reasons. There is an ever-expanding variety of WCT differentiation methods and criteria available to clinicians. However, only a few make use of the diagnostic value of comparing the ECG during WCT to that of the patient's baseline ECG. Therefore, we highlight the conceptual rationale and scientific literature supporting the diagnostic value of WCT and baseline ECG comparison.

Keywords: ECG; Electrocardiogram; Supraventricular tachycardia; Ventricular tachycardia; Wide complex tachycardia.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Diagnosis, Differential
Electrocardiography
Humans
Prognosis
Tachycardia, Supraventricular* / diagnosis
Tachycardia, Ventricular* / diagnosis