An accurate electrocardiographic algorithm for differentiation of tremor-induced pseudo-ventricular tachycardia and true ventricular tachycardia

Int J Cardiol. 2006 Jul 28;111(1):163-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2005.06.017. Epub 2005 Jul 18.

Abstract

Tremor-induced electrocardiographic artifacts could be misdiagnosed as ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, there has been no electrocardiographic algorithm effectively differentiating pseudo-VT. In this study, we used 3 electrocardiographic "signs": "Sinus" sign, "Spike" sign, and "Notch" sign, and created an electrocardiographic algorithm. The algorithm was prospectively tested in 98 electrocardiographs (37 tremor-induced pseudo-VT and 61 true VT) Thirty-six out of 37 (97.3%) tremor-induced pseudo-VTs could be accurately diagnosed. In conclusion, this is the first study to systemically analyze the tremor-induced pseudo-VT. Our new electrocardiographic algorithm provides a useful tool for a rapid and accurate diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Algorithms*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / diagnosis*
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / etiology*
  • Tremor / complications*