ISSN: 1885-5857
Vol. 71. Num. 5.
Pages 395 (May 2018)

Ecg contest
Response to ECG, April 2018

Respuesta al ECG de abril de 2018

José Amador RubioPablo RoblesElena Magallanes-Ribeiro
Rev Esp Cardiol. 2018;71:29410.1016/j.rec.2017.10.042
José Amador Rubio, Pablo Robles, Elena Magallanes-Ribeiro

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An initial R wave in aVR is a diagnostic criterion for ventricular tachycardia1 (response 1 incorrect). A QRS:P ratio of 1:1 is observed (more visible in aVL and V1); this is typical of supraventricular tachycardias, but more than 30% of ventricular tachycardias can show ventriculoatrial (VA) conduction2 (response 2 incorrect). Although the tachycardia did not resolve with amiodarone administration, retrograde conduction was reduced. Moreover, a VA ratio of 2:1 is observed in the rhythm strips (recorded after drug administration) (Figure 1, upper strip; P waves are marked with red circles) or occasional VA conduction (Figure 1, lower strip). The presence of more QRS than P waves practically confirms diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia (response 3 correct), supported already by the patient's history and QRS morphology in the ECG. The first electrical cardioversion of 100J was not effective (response 4 incorrect) but a second discharge of 150J did lead to resolution (Figure 1). Figure 2 shows the ECG after cardioversion.

Figure 1
(0.24MB).
Figure 2
(0.56MB).
References
[1]
A. Vereckei, G. Duray, G. Szénási, G.T. Altemose, J.M. Miller.
New algorithm using only lead aVR for differential diagnosis of wide QRS complex tachycardia.
Heart Rhythm., (2008), 5 pp. 89-98
[2]
H.J. Wellens, F.W. Bar, K.I. Lie.
The value of the electrocardiogram in the differential diagnosis of a tachycardia with a widened QRS complex.
Am J Med., (1978), 64 pp. 27-33
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