Efficacy of Esophageal Electrocardiogram for Diagnosis of Wide QRS Complex Tachycardias: Results from Emergency Room Cases

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of esophageal electrocardiogram in Wide QRS complex tachycardias (WCTs), especially in the emergency room (ER).

Methods Esophageal electrode intubation was performed on emergency patients with WCTs, the esophageal electrocardiograms were recorded to compare with conventional electrocardiogram for diagnosis of atrioventricular conduction.

Results Esophageal cardiac electrocardiogram and transesophageal pacing results revealed that the characteristic of WCTs, with neither misdiagnosis nor misjudgment.

Conclusion Esophageal electrocardiograms are simple and easy to perform, can accurately reflect atrioventricular conduction, and improve detection rate of "atrioventricular separation". Therefore, they have high diagnostic value for WCTs.