A rare rhythm in a pulseless patient: ECG challenge.
Nadav Shoua, Mahmoud Suleiman
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A patient in cardiac arrest presented with an initial ECG rhythm resembling Wide Complex Tachycardia (WCT). Further evaluation with a 12-lead ECG revealed ventricular standstill instead. The misleading rhythm was identified as a pseudo-tachycardia artifact due to monitor auto-gain amplification. This case underscores the importance of careful ECG interpretation in emergency settings.
What made this case unusual
The case illustrates how monitor auto-gain amplification can create artifacts that mimic life-threatening arrhythmias, leading to potential misdiagnosis.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should be aware of the potential for automated signal processing artifacts to misrepresent cardiac rhythms, particularly during advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).
Why it matters
Recognizing these artifacts is crucial to avoid inappropriate interventions in critical situations, ensuring accurate diagnosis and management of cardiac arrest.