Abstract
Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation (VF) carry important prognostic implications, especially in the post myocardial infarction period. However, artifact on the electrocardiographic tracing can mimic VF particularly on routinely recorded rhythm strips in hospitals. Such misinterpretation can lead to expensive (and potentially risky) diagnostic and therapeutic steps. We report on such a case and highlight the need for careful inspection of the tracing.
Highlights
Arrhythmias may be documented in patients with cardiac or serious medical disorders admitted to units with telemetry monitoring, intensive care wards [1]
Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation (VF) carry particular prognostic signficance owing to their association with sudden cardiac death
Misinterpretation can lead to expensive diagnostic and therapeutic steps. We report on such a case and highlight the need for careful inspection of the tracing
Summary
Arrhythmias may be documented in patients with cardiac or serious medical disorders admitted to units with telemetry monitoring, intensive care wards [1]. Misinterpretation can lead to expensive (and potentially risky) diagnostic and therapeutic steps We report on such a case and highlight the need for careful inspection of the tracing. QRS complexes can be seen "marching through" the tracing (black dots), confirming that the apparent fibrillation is an artifact Such artifacts can be induced by movement, electrical interference and lose monitor lead connections [2,3]. These electrocardiographic artifacts are not uncommon and lead to inappropriate diagnostic and therapeutic steps [4] because they tend to be misinterpreted by physicians, including cardiologists [5]
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