Transesophageal electrocardiography and adenosine in the diagnosis of wide complex tachycardia.
The diagnosis of wide complex tachycardia based on surface electrocardiography can be difficult. Misdiagnosis occurs frequently and is commonly associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We describe a case of wide QRS complex tachycardia in which transesophageal electrocardiography and intravenous adenosine were used to obtain a reliable diagnosis. These are safe and readily available tools for elucidating the mechanism of wide complex tachyarrhythmias in hemodynamically stable patients.
Lopez
J A
JA
Department of Adult Cardiology, Texas Heart Institute, Houston 77030.
Lufschanowski
R
R
Massumi
A
A
D000241:Adenosine; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000241:Adenosine