CLINICAL-DIFFERENTIATION OF NARROW QRS COMPLEX TACHYCARDIA

Supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) generally present with ''narrow'' (or normal) QRS complexes, unless aberrantly conducted, and are commo nly seen in the emergency department (ED). Narrow QRS complex tachycar dia is defined as a heart rate faster than 100 bpm with a BRS duration shorter than 0.12 seconds, or 120 msec. Narrow QRS complex tachycardi as are common and occur in all age groups. Their clinical presentation is variable; they can be scarcely perceptible or result in syncope or congestive heart failure. The urgency and choice of clinical manageme nt is based on the hemodynamic assessment and understanding of the tac hycardia mechanism. This article provides a diagnostic approach to the patients presenting with regular narrow QRS complex tachycardias.