Polymorphic Wide QRS Complex Tachycardia: Differential Diagnosis

Abstract

Polymorphic wide QRS complex tachycardia is defined as a tachyarrhythmia showing variable and frequently alternating morphologies of the QRS complex with irregular R-R intervals. It may present with a specific and reproducible pattern including torsade de pointes and bidirectional ventricular tachycardia or with a nonspecific and very irregular pattern, different from ventricular fibrillation. Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is a challenging diagnosis and is associated with a high risk for sudden cardiac death. Although rare, preexcited atrial fibrillation over multiple accessory pathways can also generate a polymorphic wide QRS complex tachycardia mimicking polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.

Keywords: Afterdepolarizations; Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia; Phase 2 reentry; Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia; Preexcited atrial fibrillation; Torsade de pointes; Ventricular fibrillation.