Question

identify this rhythm:

artifact
ventricular tachycardia (monomorphic tachycardia)
ventricular fibrillation
torsades de pointes (polymorphic tachycardia)

Explanation:

Analyze the ECG strip morphology

• Rate: Rapid ventricular rate (tachycardia).
• Rhythm: Irregularly irregular with continuously changing QRS amplitude and axis.
• Pattern: The QRS complexes appear to twist around the isoelectric baseline, showing a characteristic spindle-like variation in amplitude (waxing and waning).

Differentiate from other options

• Artifact: The tracing shows organized, repeating electrical activity with clear ventricular complexes, not random noise.
• Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: QRS complexes would have a uniform shape, amplitude, and axis.
• Ventricular Fibrillation: Completely disorganized, chaotic electrical activity without identifiable QRS complexes.
• Torsades de Pointes: Classic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia characterized by the "twisting of the points" around the baseline.

Answer:

• Artifact
• Ventricular tachycardia (monomorphic tachycardia)
• Ventricular fibrillation
• Torsades de Pointes (polymorphic tachycardia) (Correct answer)