LITFL Flashcards
(39 cards)
What look for to determine right ventricular infarction/RCA occlusion
This is an elevation greater than 3 and 2 and ST elevation V1 or V2, greater than aVR
Irregularly irregular rhythm, left bundle branch morphology, rate 86-300
These findings indicate atrial fibrillation in the context of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Tx for afib RVR with WPW
DC Cardioversion 200J with fentanyl or ketamine sedation that doesn’t affect BP too much
When you see the combination of…
Bradycardia
Blocks — e.g. AV block, bundle branch blocks
Bizarre QRS complexes
hyperkalaemia!
Severe Hyperkalemia EKG findings?
bradycardia, flattening and loss of P waves, QRS broadening and T wave abnormalities
Features consistent with sodium-channel blockade:
Interventricular conduction delay — QRS > 100 ms in lead II
Right axis deviation of the terminal QRS:
Terminal R wave > 3 mm in aVR
R/S ratio > 0.7 in aVR
Patients with tricyclic overdose will also usually demonstrate sinus tachycardia secondary to muscarinic (M1) receptor blockade.
Severe hypokalemia findings
The combination of…
Widespread ST depression / T wave inversion
Prominent U waves
Long QU interval (> 500 ms)
Wellens Wave vs Hypokalemia
The main differentiating factor
Wellens: – biphasic T waves go UP then DOWN.
Hypokalaemia: – T waves go DOWN then UP.
Right ventricular strain pattern
T wave inversions in the right precordial leads V1-4 plus the inferior leads (especially the rightward-facing lead III)
ECG findings associated with PE other than sinus tach and S1Q3T3
T wave inversions in V1-V4 and III, New right axis deviation New right bundle branch block New dominant R wave in V1 Non-specific ST segment changes
Sign of proximal Left main occlusion?
AVR elevation and diffuse depression. Can also be seen in SVT
The ECG classic features of hypothermia:
Bradycardia
Osborn waves (J waves) = notching at the J point seen in V2-6
Long QT interval (~ 600 ms)
Shivering artifact
Pericaridal effusion ECG findings
The triad of tachycardia, low QRS voltages and electrical alternans
Giant T-wave inversions in multiple leads, most prominent in V2-6
Marked QT prolongation > 600 ms. What does that mean?
Elevated ICP likely from ICH
differential for widespread T wave inversions?
hypokalemia, Wellens, elevated ICP
differential for wide complex regular tachycardia
VT and SVT with aberrancy from afib or Wpw
classic features of ventricular tachycardia:
Northwest axis — QRS is positive in aVR, negative in I and aVF.
The taller left rabbit ear sign — There is an atypical RBBB pattern in V1, where the left “rabbit ear” is taller than the right.
Negative QRS complex (R/S ratio < 1) in V6.
When you see a regular narrow complex tachycardia at 150 bpm, you should think of four main diagnoses:
Atrial flutter with 2:1 block (especially in elderly, IHD, CCF)
AV-nodal reentry tachycardia (“SVT”)
Orthodromic AV reentry tachycardia in WPW
Sinus tachycardia — should see P waves but may be hidden in the T waves (e.g. with concurrent 1st degree AV block). There should also be some HR variability compared to the other 3 rhythms.
What are DeWinter’s waves?
ST depression with rocket-shaped T waves in the precordial leads V1-6
It is becoming increasingly recognised as an anterior STEMI equivalent
Describe sick sinus syndrome with tachy brady
The sinus rate is extremely slow, varying from 40 bpm down to around 10 bpm in places.
Sinus beats are followed by paroxysms of junctional tachycardia at around 140 bpm.
The flurries of junctional tachycardia are a compensatory phenomenon attempting to maintain cardiac output in the face of critically low sinus node rates.
features of chronic pulmonary disease:
Rightward QRS axis (+90 degrees).
Peaked P waves in the inferior leads > 2.5 mm (P pulmonale).
Rightward P-wave axis (inverted in aVL).
“Clockwise rotation” of the heart with a delayed R/S transition point (transitional lead = V5).
Absent R waves in the right precordial leads (SV1-SV2-SV3 pattern).
Low voltages in the left-sided leads (I, aVL, V5-6).
Why does torsades almost never happen in antipsychotic overdose?
However, tachycardia (which is almost ubiquitous in significant poisoning with quetiapine, olanzapine or clozapine) is actually protective against TdP.
Severe hyperkalemia
Bizarre complexes
QRS prolongation
Peaked T waves
Sine wave appearance
severe digoxin toxicity features
Atrial tachycardia
Frequent ventricular ectopic beats
High-grade AV block
Alternating LBBB and RBBB morphology,