Differential Diagnosis for VT Mimics
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) with Aberrancy: This is often the most common mimic of ventricular tachycardia (VT) due to its similar electrocardiographic appearance, where the QRS complex is widened due to aberrant conduction.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Atrial Flutter with Variable Block: Atrial flutter can present with a rapid ventricular response, and if there's a variable block, it might mimic the irregularity seen in VT.
- Orthodromic Atrioventricular Reentrant Tachycardia (AVRT): This condition involves an accessory electrical pathway in the heart, leading to a rapid heart rate that can be mistaken for VT.
- Antidromic AVRT: Similar to orthodromic AVRT but involves anterograde conduction down the accessory pathway, which can also mimic VT.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Torsades de Pointes: A life-threatening condition characterized by a specific type of abnormal heart rhythm that can be mistaken for VT. It requires immediate treatment to prevent sudden cardiac death.
- Hyperkalemia-induced Arrhythmias: Severe hyperkalemia can cause various arrhythmias, including those that mimic VT. It's crucial to identify and treat promptly due to its high mortality risk.
- Pulmonary Embolism: Although not a primary cardiac arrhythmia, a large pulmonary embolism can lead to significant cardiac strain and arrhythmias, including those resembling VT.
Rare Diagnoses
- Junctional Tachycardia: A rare condition where the atrioventricular junction acts as an ectopic pacemaker, leading to a rapid heart rate that might be confused with VT.
- Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation: Although more lethal than VT, its presentation can sometimes be confused with VT, especially if the patient is still conscious or the fibrillation is coarse.
- Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT): A rare genetic disorder that can cause life-threatening arrhythmias during physical activity or emotional stress, potentially mimicking other forms of VT.