Electrocardiographic Findings of Wide QRS Complex Tachycardias

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Kepez A., Uslu A.

in: AYBAK 2019: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery 1 , Mustafa Paç, Editor, Akademisyen Kitapevi, Ankara, pp.39-51, 2019

  • Publication Type: Book Chapter / Chapter Vocational Book
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Publisher: Akademisyen Kitapevi
  • City: Ankara
  • Page Numbers: pp.39-51
  • Editors: Mustafa Paç, Editor
  • Marmara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Twelve derivation electrocardiography (ECG) obtained both during sinus rhythm and tachycardia may give important clues about the tachycardia mechanism. Information obtained from ECG may not only be valuable for clinical diagnosis but also increase the safety and success of electrophysiological study (EPS) and ablation procedures. Tachycardia with QRS duration <120 ms is considered to be a ‘narrow QRS complex tachycardia’ and tachycardia with QRS duration ≥ 120 ms is considered to be a ‘wide QRS complex tachycardia’ on surface ECG. Narrow QRS complex tachycardias are usually of supraventricular origin; however certain rare type ventricular tachycardias (VT) may also manifest themselves with narrow QRS on ECG. Differential diagnosis for the wide QRS complex tachycardia includes VT, aberrantly conducted supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and preexcitation. In this chapter wide QRS complex tachycardias will be evaluated and clues from surface ECG will be emphasized for each type of wide QRS complex tachycardia.