Electrocardiographic manifestations: Aberrant ventricular conduction

Aberrant ventricular conduction is a common electrocardiographic (EKG) mani festation that occurs when the supraventricular electrical impulse is condu cted abnormally through the ventricular conducting system. This results in a wide QRS complex that may be confused with a ventricular ectopic beat. Th is differentiation is important because the treatment and prognosis is quit e different. Hemodynamically unstable patients with a wide-complex tachycar dia should be promptly cardioverted. Although up to 10% of cases will defy differentiation, ventricular tachycardia and aberrant conduction can be dis tinguished utilizing history, physical examination, and EKG criteria, The m echanisms of aberrant ventricular conduction art? discussed, (C) 2000 Elsev ier Science Inc.