Wide Complex Tachycardia in the Emergency Department: An Updated Approach to Diagnosis and Management (Pharmacology CME) | Points & Pearls
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Wide Complex Tachycardia in the Emergency Department: An Updated Approach to Diagnosis and Management (Pharmacology CME)

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Points & Pearls Excerpt

  • Wide complex tachycardia (WCT) is defined as a tachydysrhythmia with QRS duration ≥120 milliseconds. The primary diagnostic distinction is ventricular tachycardia (VT) versus supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with aberrancy.
  • WCT may result from metabolic or toxicologic causes, including hyperkalemia (see Figure 1) and sodium-channel blocker toxicity; these etiologies should be considered during initial evaluation.
  • VT is the most common cause of WCT in adults and should be strongly considered in patients with structural heart disease or prior myocardial infarction unless an alternative diagnosis is clearly established.
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Publication Information
Authors

Robert Allen, MD; Caleb J. Bailie, MD; Ian S. deSouza, MD

Publication Date

April 1, 2026

CME Expiration Date

April 1, 2029    CME Information

CME Credits

4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 4 ACEP Category I Credits, 4 AAFP Prescribed Credits, 4 AOA Category 2-B Credits.
Specialty CME Credits: Included as part of the 4 credits, this CME activity is eligible for 2 Pharmacology CME credits, subject to your state and institutional approval.

Pub Med ID: 41861344

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