Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 23, 2023

Edited by Bracey, Meyers, Grauer, and Smith A 50-something-year-old female with a history of an unknown personality disorder and alcohol use disorder arrived via EMS following cardiac arrest with return of spontaneous circulation. T wave alternans is a harbinger of cardiac instability and TdP. (3) No ischemic ST changes.

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Tachycardia Cardiac Arrest ICU Blog 131

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 25, 2023

ECG is consistent with severe hypokalemia and/or hypomagnesemia causing prolonged QT (QU) at high risk of Torsades (which is polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in the setting of a long QT interval). Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Long QT Syndrome with Continuously Recurrent Polymorphic VT: Management Cardiac Arrest.

Ischemia 124

Ischemia Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Blog 124

Ken Grauer, MD

MARCH 23, 2023

What is the cardiac rhythm shown in the long lead II rhythm strip? Figure-1: The initial ECG in today’s case — obtained from an elderly woman following successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest. ( C ASE C onclusion : I lack detailed follow-up from today's case — other than knowing that the Atrial Tachycardia was controlled.

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Blog Tachycardia Arrhythmia Atrial Flutter 78

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 12, 2020

Use of objective evidence of myocardial ischemia to facilitate the diagnostic and prognostic distinction between type 2 myocardial infarction and myocardial injury. This sinus tachycardia ( at ~130/minute ) — is consistent with the patient’s worsening clinical condition, with development of cardiogenic shock. Available from: [link] 9.

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Cardiac Arrest COVID-19 Myocardial Infarction Cardiogenic Shock 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 20, 2024

The first task when assessing a wide complex QRS for ischemia is to identify the end of the QRS. The ST segment changes are compatible with severe subendocardial ischemia which can be caused by type I MI from ACS or potentially from type II MI (non-obstructive coronary artery disease with supply/demand mismatch). What do you think?

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Cardiogenic Shock Ischemia Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest 129

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 21, 2024

This progressed to electrical storm , with incessant PolyMorphic Ventricular Tachycardia ( PMVT ) and recurrent episodes of Ventricular Fibrillation ( VFib ). There is no definite evidence of acute ischemia. (ie, Some residual ischemia in the infarct border might still be present.

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Arrhythmia Cardiogenic Shock Bradycardia Defibrillator 131

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 15, 2019

Here was his initial ED ECG: There is sinus tachycardia at a rate of about 140 There is profound ST Elevation across all precordial leads, as well as I and aVL. If a patient presents with chest pain and a normal heart rate, or with shockable cardiac arrest, then ischemic appearing ST elevation is STEMI until proven otherwise.

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Tachycardia STEMI Chest Pain Ischemia 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 8, 2023

Remember, in diffuse subendocardial ischemia with widespread ST-depression there may b e ST-E in lead s aVR and V1. There are well formed R-waves with good voltage/amplitude which is uncommon for ischemia. Smith: This bizarre ECG looks like a post cardiac arrest ECG with probable acidosis or hyperkalemia in addition to OMI.

Ischemia 123

Ischemia Chest Pain Cardiogenic Shock Cardiac Arrest 123

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

His response: “subendocardial ischemia. Smith : It should be noted that, in subendocardial ischemia, in contrast to OMI, absence of wall motion abnormality is common. With the history of Afib, CTA abdomen was ordered to r/o mesenteric ischemia vs ischemic colitis vs small bowel obstruction. Anything more on history?

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Ischemia STEMI Stenosis Chest Pain 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 8, 2016

If there is polymorphic VT with a long QT on the baseline ECG, then generally we call that Torsades, but Non-Torsades Polymorphic VT can result from ischemia alone. See here for management of Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia , which includes Torsades. If cardiac arrest from hypokalemia is imminent (i.e.,

STEMI 52

STEMI Myocardial Infarction Cardiac Arrest Arrhythmia 52

EMS 12-Lead

JULY 24, 2023

It should be known that each category can easily manifest the generic subendocardial ischemia pattern. In general, subendocardial ischemia is a consequence of global supply-demand mismatch that usually ameliorates upon addressing, and mitigating, the underlying cause. What’s interesting is that the ECG can only detect ischemia.

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Angina Ischemia Coronary Angiogram Stenosis 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

There is sinus tachycardia (do not be fooled into thinking this is VT or another wide complex tachycardia!) This pattern is essentially always accompanied by cardiogenic shock and high rates of VT/VF arrest, etc. OMI and subendocardial ischemia patterns can both be present at the same time. This is "shark fin" morphology.

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Chest Pain Cardiogenic Shock Tachycardia Ischemia 52

Wellnest

DECEMBER 21, 2022

A fast heartbeat is called tachycardia, while a slow heartbeat is called bradycardia in medical terms. Cardiac arrest Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency in which the heart stops pumping blood to the body. Electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and some other tests are done for patients with cardiac arrest.

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Cardiac Arrest Heart attacks Heart Attack Atrial Fibrillation 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 27, 2023

His prehospital ECG showed "inferior" ST depression and high voltage, with tachycardia. I suspected no OMI, that this could be due to LVH plus tachycardia. Conclusion: Type II MI probable due to hypoxia and tachycardia from resp arrest and amphetamine use. On arrival to the ED, the patient was diaphoretic, tachycardic.

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Tachycardia Ischemia Cardiac Arrest Echocardiogram 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

Here is his 12-lead: There is a wide complex tachycardia with a rate of 257, with RBBB and LPFB (right axis deviation) morphology. Read about Fascicular VT here: Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardias for the EM Physician Case Continued He was completely stable, so adenosine was administered. See Learning point 1 below. Arch Intern Med.

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Tachycardia Heart Disease Dysrhythmia Ablation 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 5, 2022

After initiating treatment for hyperkalemia, repeat ECG showed resolution of Brugada pattern: The ECG shows sinus tachycardia. Steve, what do you think of this ECG in this Cardiac Arrest Patient?" A woman in her 50s with dyspnea and bradycardia A patient with cardiac arrest, ROSC, and right bundle branch block (RBBB).

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Chest Pain Bradycardia Cardiac Arrest STEMI 52

Ken Grauer, MD

APRIL 9, 2023

NOTE: As discussed in detail in ECG Blog #108 — " A IVR" is an "enhanced" ventricular ectopic rhythm that occurs faster than the intrinsic ventricular escape rate ( which is typically between 20-40/minute ) — but slower than hemodynamically significant Ventricular Tachycardia ( ie, VT at rates >130-140/minute ).

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Blog Chest Pain Arrhythmia Cardiac Arrest 78

All About Cardiovascular System and Disorders

OCTOBER 26, 2023

They include myocardial ischemia, acute pericarditis, pulmonary embolism, external compression due to mass over the right ventricular outflow tract region, and metabolic disorders like hyper or hypokalemia and hypercalcemia. These are the conditions which have to be considered or excluded as they can sometimes manifest Brugada pattern on ECG.

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Sudden Cardiac Death Atrial Fibrillation Electrophysiology Arrhythmia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

The ECG shows sinus tachycardia, a narrow, low voltage QRS with alternating amplitudes, no peaked T waves, no QT prolongation, and some minimal ST elevation in II, III, and aVF (without significant reciprocal STD or T wave inversion in aVL). It is difficult to tell if there is collapse during diastole due to the patient’s tachycardia.

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Tachycardia Pericarditis Ultrasound Blood Pressure 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

This is often quite challenging to recognize — but the finding of negative U waves in a patient with chest pain is highly suggestive of ischemia ! Y OU s hould h ave n oted the following additional ECG findings in ECG #1 : There is sinus tachycardia at ~100/minute in ECG #1. N OTE # 2 — On rare occasions, the U wave may be negative.

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Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Bradycardia Ischemia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 30, 2019

Otherwise vitals after intubation were only notable for tachycardia. An initial EKG was obtained: Computer read: sinus tachycardia, early acute anterior infarct. She was ventilated by bag-valve-mask by EMS on arrival and was quickly intubated with etomidate and succinylcholine. A rectal temperature was obtained which read 107.9

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Heart Rhythm Sudden Cardiac Death Arrhythmia STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 25, 2022

These include ( among others ) — acute febrile illness — variations in autonomic tone — hypothermia — ischemia-infarction — malignant arrhythmias — cardiac arrest — and especially Hyperkalemia. Sinus Tachycardia ( common in any trauma patient. ).

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Arrhythmia Blog Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 22, 2010

However, with widespread ST depression, this could also be due to diffuse subendocardial ischemia. Everything is complicated by the arrest and hypotension: Is the ischemia caused by the instability, or the instability caused by the ischemia? What was the inciting factor? The diagnosis is in doubt.

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Cardiac Arrest Tachycardia STEMI Chest Pain 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 21, 2023

Occurrence of “J Waves” in 12-Lead ECG as a Marker of Acute Ischemia and Their Cellular Basis. The relationship between J wave and ventricular tachycardia during Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Occurrence of "J waves" in 12-lead ECG as a marker of acute ischemia and their cellular basis. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol.

STEMI 52

STEMI Bradycardia Arrhythmia Cardiac Arrest 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 11, 2025

It is a wide complex regular tachycardia at a rate of 120. Is it ventricular tachycardia? I fear that many learners would also not easily recognize where the QRS actually ends, and I fear that some may think that this is ventricular tachycardia due to inability to distinguish QRS from ST segment. The ST Elevation is NOT typical.

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Cardiogenic Shock Chest Pain Tachycardia Cardiac Arrest 137

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

There was never ventricular fibrillation (VF) or ventricular tachycardia (VT), no shockable rhythm. The patient was unconscious BEFORE the cardiac arrest, at the same time that she had strong pulses. Therefore, cardiac arrest is NOT the etiology of the coma. There is sinus tachycardia at ~115/minute.

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STEMI Hemorrhage Cardiac Arrest Tachycardia 89

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 13, 2025

Drug toxicity , especially diphenhydramine , which has sodium channel blocking effects, and also anticholinergic effects which may result in sinus tachycardia, hyperthermia, delirium, and dry skin. Unexplained cardiac arrest or documented VF/polymorphic VT: +3 3. Unexplained sudden cardiac death (3 categories) (+0.5 - +2) 4.

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Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Ischemia Sudden Cardiac Death 71