Image Based Question-67100

A 75 year old man with a history of COPD presents with fever and increased sputum production. An ECG is taken in the emergency department. What does it show?

A. Polymorphic Atrial Tachycardia.

B. Atrial Fibrillation.

C. Myocardial Infarction.

D. Heart Block.

Correct Answer » A Explanation

Ans: A. Polymorphic Atrial Tachycardia

The ECG in the image shows:

This is polymorphic atrial tachycardia.

• It occurs in respiratory disease and reflects an aberrant foci of atrial excitation.
• The morphology of the p-waves is therefore variable but all p-waves are transmitted via the bundle of His and therefore the QRS complexes are all the same.