Narrow QRS ventricular tachycardia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of narrow QRS ventricular tachycardia (QRS duration less than or equal to 0.11 seconds).


METHODS
Consecutive survey of patients with ventricular tachycardia.


METHODS
Tertiary, referral-based arrhythmia service at a university medical center.


METHODS
Sequential sample of patients with inducible ventricular tachycardia who had a 12-lead electrocardiogram of the tachycardia available for review.


RESULTS
Of 106 patients with ventricular tachycardia, 5 (4.7%; 95% CI, 2.1% to 10.6%) had ventricular tachycardia with a QRS duration less than or equal to 0.11 seconds. Three of the five patients were previously incorrectly diagnosed as having supraventricular tachycardia. All five patients had at least two electrocardiographic findings other than QRS duration to suggest ventricular tachycardia.


CONCLUSIONS
Narrow QRS ventricular tachycardia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of narrow QRS tachycardias. Electrocardiographic findings other than QRS duration are usually present to suggest the diagnosis.
Hayes
J J
JJ
University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle 98195.
Stewart
R B
RB
Green
H L
HL
Bardy
G H
GH
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000175:diagnosis