Ventricular Flutter

Report:

Top:

Tachycardia 158/min of undetermined origin, possibly sinus

Second strip:

Tachycardia 165/min, as above, QRS broadening

VEBs

Ventricular flutter 250/min, with a torsade de pointes

Third strip:

Ventricular flutter 262/min

Fourth strip:

Ventricular flutter cardioversion to sinus tachycardia

Bottom:

Sinus tachycardia

VEB

Comment:

The characteristic of ventricular flutter is extremely fast rate associated with loss of distinct QRS-ST-T components. It is a pre-fibrillatory rhythm and DC cardioversion is the only sensible treatment. At the same time, hypoxia, acidosis and hyperkalæmia require urgent correction if the cardioversion is to succeed and be sustained.

The patient was transferred to another hospital for dialysis (in 1976) but died a week later in multiple organ failure (MOF).

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