

Many arrhythmias will prove uninterpretable - IF only 1 or a few leads are used. PEARL #2 - Remember that, “1 2 Leads are Better than One ”. Therefore - IF the single-lead rhythm strip that you are using for cardiac monitoring does not clearly show identifiable P waves - it will be EASY to mistake this rhythm for AFib.

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Instead - it is the fault of the provider who accepts the computer interpretation without independently interpreting the ECG beforelooking at what the computer said ( CLICK HERE - for “My Take” on how to optimally use the computerized report ). P EARL #1 : It is not the “fault” of the computer that an ECG diagnosis is missed.A deep neural network for 12-lead electrocardiogram interpretation Here is an example where the computer failed to diagnose atrial fibrillation, with disastrous consequences:Ĭomputer often fails to diagnose atrial fibrillation in ventricular paced rhythm, and that can be catastrophic It may lead to false negative or false positive diagnoses, and withholding of necessary anticoagulation, or administering or inappropriate anticoagulation. Rhythm Diagnosis: Sinus Rhythm with Multifocal Premature Atrial Beats (PACs or PABs), many conducting aberrantly.ĭo not trust the computer algorithm to diagnose atrial fib or absence thereof. MAT has at least 3 distinct P-wave morphologies, but there is no single dominant pacemaker (i.e., no underlying sinus rhythm) One might call this multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT), but since there are definite sinus beats which are not tachycardic, this is sinus with multifocal atrial premature beats. The sinus node, when not interrupted, occurs more than 600 ms after the previous atrial beat, so sinus tachycardia is NOT present Then notice that there are several other P-wave morphologies, and that several come early such that the QRS is aberrant, with an RBBB morphology because the right bundle usually has a longer refractory period ( Green arrows). Then look for other similar P-waves ( see red arrows). We find a corresponding typical lead II P-wave, confirming sinus rhythm ( black arrow at bottom). Then confirm that it is a sinus beat by going directly down to lead II across the bottom. We find two ( black arrow, and then another 2 beats later) One should look for sinus beats by looking for an up-down P-wave in V1.


This is NOT atrial fibrillation, as demonstrated in this annotated version: Atrial fibrillation with WPW (which is also wide complex) Polymorphic VT (which is always wide complex, so does not apply here)ĥ. There are 5 other rhythms that are irregularly irregular, though atrial fibrillation is by far the most common:Ĥ. The rhythm is indeed irregularly irregular, so atrial fibrillation must be considered.
