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Definition And Origins Of Broad Complex Tachycardia
- Broad complex tachycardia is defined by rate >100 bpm with QRS >0.12s and often originates from the ventricles.
- Not all broad complexes are ventricular; some atrial rhythms with aberrant conduction can also widen the QRS.
Common Causes Of Ventricular Tachycardia
- Ischaemic heart disease is the commonest cause of ventricular tachycardia, but structural disease, channelopathies and infiltrative disease also contribute.
- Electrolyte disturbance, drugs and myocarditis are additional important precipitants to consider.
Why QRS Becomes Wide
- QRS width reflects how quickly the ventricles are depolarized via normal conduction vs slower myocardial spread.
- Ventricular-origin impulses or bundle branch delays both widen the QRS by slowing ventricular conduction.