Rare Presentation of Wide QRS Tachycardia in a Patient in Their 40s

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article describes the case of a 40‐year‐old individual who presented with fulminant myocarditis. Initial ECG displayed sinus tachycardia with a heart rate of 117 bpm, QS complexes in leads V1–V3, ST‐segment depression in leads II, III, aVF, V5–V6, and ST‐segment elevation >0.2 mV in leads V1 through V3. The initial clinical assessment suggested an acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction. However, subsequent diagnostic evaluation through coronary angiography disclosed that the coronary arteries were normal. Therefore, clinicians should carefully consider the differential diagnosis between these conditions, as their management strategies differ markedly. Two hours after admission, the patient unexpectedly developed syncope. The ECG findings were consistent with the typical characteristics of bidirectional ventricular tachycardia. Our report described the appearance and morphology as well as mechanism of bidirectional ventricular tachycardia in detail. Additionally, we delineate differential diagnoses for disease that can cause bidirectional ventricular tachycardia, such as aconite poisoning, digoxin overdose, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), myocardial ischemia, and hereditary channelopathies, such as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and Andersen–Tawil syndrome. Therefore, clinicians should recognize this ECG finding immediately and initiate appropriate treatment promptly as these measures may be vital in saving the patient's life.

Keywords

• bidirectional ventricular tachycardia
• calcium overload
• fulminant myocarditis
• inward sodium currents