How to Localize the Origin of Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) Using the ECG?
This two-part guide helps you estimate where a VT is coming from in the heart, based on the QRS pattern seen on the ECG.
Step 1: Check the limb leads (frontal plane)
These leads help you guess the general wall of the left ventricle where the VT is exiting:
🔺V1 Lead I = Septal exit
🔺Lead II III positive = Inferior wall exit
🔺Lead II III negative = Superior wall exit
🔺V1 negative Lead I positive = Lateral wall exit
Step 2: Check precordial (chest) leads (horizontal plane)
These leads help localize the level of the VT in the left ventricle
🔻V1–V3 dominance = Basal (top part of LV)
🔻V3–V4 dominance = Mid LV
🔻V4 or beyond = Apical (tip of LV)
Bottom Panel: Real-life ECGs Scar Mapping
These examples show how VT morphologies match infarcted (scarred) areas:
🔵 Anterior infarct (LAD) → VT from the front wall
🔵 Lateral infarct (LCx) → VT from the side
🔵 Inferior infarct (RCA) → VT from the bottom
This approach is helpful in VT ablation procedures, as it guides the electrophysiologist to the likely location of the arrhythmia circuit or scar.
A strong visual tool for EP fellows and anyone learning VT mapping!
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Bundle Branch Reentrant Tachycardia (BBRT) – A Rare but Important Ventricular Tachycardia
Seen in patients with structural heart disease, especially dilated cardiomyopathy or post-surgical hearts.
What is BBRT?
A macroreentrant VT that utilizes the His-Purkinje system as part of the reentry circuit.
It’s a form of ventricular tachycardia that mimics supraventricular origin on ECG due to its relatively narrow QRS (compared to other VTs).
Mechanism:
- One bundle branch acts as the antegrade limb
- The other as the retrograde limb
- The circuit involves the interventricular septum
- Often associated with prolonged HV interval
ECG Findings (as in the image):
A. Type A BBRT with LBBB morphology → indicates antegrade conduction through the right bundle.
B. Type C BBRT with RBBB morphology left axis deviation → indicates antegrade conduction through the left posterior fascicle.
Clinical Significance:
- Can present as sustained monomorphic VT
- Often inducible during EP study
- May cause syncope, presyncope, or palpitations
- Frequently seen in patients with baseline bundle branch block and cardiomyopathy
Treatment:
- Catheter ablation (typically of the RBB) is highly effective
- ICD may be considered if underlying cardiomyopathy is present
Reference:
Zipes & Jalife’s Cardiac Electrophysiology: From Cell to Bedside, 8th Edition.
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🤔 Catheters don’t always ‘capture’ the heart tissue and cause depolarization?
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2nd one could be („organized“) Afib as well with a more organized but still irregular pattern very short CL from 200-220 - that can often be seen in patients with Afib in EPstudy.
Other expl. for varying CL: microreentry flutter, also more related to Afib from EP perspective.
1. Left posterior/posteroseptal
2. Probably 2 pathways, Right anterior (b/o late transition in precordials) and left lateral (b/o negative delta in AVL)
Please give us results of EPstudy.
David Gilmour & Rick Wright during the recording in the studio … reminds me of an #EPStudy in the ‘80-s using a #Grass stimulator … Photo from @crockpics#Analog#EP