Stability discriminates VT from which rhythm?

Stability discriminates VT from which rhythm?

• A. Afib RVR
• B. SVT
• C. NSR
• D. VT

Answer: (A)

The deciding feature here is rhythm stability, or how regular the tachycardia is. Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response produces an irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm because the AV node conducts variable numbers of atrial impulses to the ventricles. Ventricular tachycardia, especially a monomorphic form, usually has a regular rhythm. So in a stable patient with a wide-complex tachycardia, noticing an irregular rhythm points toward atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response rather than VT. NSR is normal rhythm, and SVT typically presents as a regular tachycardia (sometimes with aberrant conduction) rather than irregular.

The deciding feature here is rhythm stability, or how regular the tachycardia is. Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response produces an irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm because the AV node conducts variable numbers of atrial impulses to the ventricles. Ventricular tachycardia, especially a monomorphic form, usually has a regular rhythm. So in a stable patient with a wide-complex tachycardia, noticing an irregular rhythm points toward atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response rather than VT. NSR is normal rhythm, and SVT typically presents as a regular tachycardia (sometimes with aberrant conduction) rather than irregular.