This is a good example of atrial fibrillation with left bundle branch block.  You get two ECGs with this one, because the patient presented to EMS with a fast heart rate, and the rate was slowed with the drug diltiazem.  We do not have any other patient information, unfortunately.

In the first strip, we see a wide-complex tachycardia.  In an emergency situation, with an unstable patient, this rhythm could safely be treated using an emergency ventricular tachycardia (VT) protocol.  In fact, all WCTs should be considered to be VT until proven otherwise.  In most emergency settings, the unstable VT patient would be electrically cardioverted, which will often convert atrial fibrillation as well.  The stable patient with this rhythm would be treated with an antiarrhythmic drug, such as amiodarone.  This may convert or slow down atrial fib.  So, in the initial stages of treatment, differentiating between VT and A Fib is not the first priority.  Assessing the patient's hemodynamic stability and addressing the rate if necessary are the priorities.  

So, how do we know this is NOT VT?  It can be difficult, but in this case, the rhythm, even though fast, is very irregular.   VT is not always perfectly regular, but this irregularly-irregular rhythm points to atrial fibrillation. Also, the pattern of the QRS morphology fits with LBBB.  The criteria for LBBB are:  1) supraventricular rhythm, 2) wide QRS, 3) negative QRS in V1 with positive QRS in Leads I and V6.  If we assume the rhythm is atrial fibrillation, we meet the first criteria.  The other two are self-evident.

After the medication is administered, 10 minutes later, we see the rate slow down.  There is no change in the irregularly-irregular rhythm, and the LBBB pattern remains.  All that has changed is the rate and, hopefully, the patient's symptoms.  This confirms that the original rhythm was not VT.  

Remember, atrial fib lowers cardiac output because there is no P wave - no "atrial kick".  Also, the fast rate associated with new-onset atrial fib often compromises ventricular filling and cardiac output.   LBBB also has a deleterious effect on cardiac output.  Wide QRS complexes indicate that the ventricles are not contracting efficiently and synchronously.  The left ventricle is depolarizing by way of a slow wave of depolarization, rather than all the cells getting the message to depolarize at the same time.  Having these two conditions at the same time can have a very negative effect on cardiac output, leading to CHF.  The first step in treatment often involves simply slowing the rate to normal, which allows for better ventricular filling and decreases the workload on the heart.  Then, the fibrillation and bundle branch block can be addressed.

This ECG offers a good example of the left bundle branch block pattern.   * The QRS is wide at 144 ms.  * There is a supraventricular rhythm - in this case, normal sinus rhythm with beat number two a PAC, and a slightly prolonged PR interval.  * The QRS is negative in V1 and positive in V6 and also Lead I.  This satisfies the ECG criteria for left bundle branch block.

The main lesson this tracing offers for beginner or refresher students is the value of multi-lead assessment. Using only one or two leads, you may miss important information needed to correctly interpret the ECG.   In order to meet the LBBB criteria, we must show that there exists a supraventricular rhythm (not ventricular). One easy way to prove the rhythm is supraventricular is the presence of P waves.  In this ECG, P waves are very small, and are invisible in some leads, such as Lead I, aVL, Lead III, and aVF.  P waves can be seen well in Lead II and in the chest leads.  Some helpful hints, if viewing on a computer, enlarge the image to better see the P waves.  Look at the ECG machine's interpretation.  If a numerical PR interval is given, and a P wave axis, then the computer is finding P waves.   If you don't see them in one lead, try others.

For your more advanced students, ST elevation is common in wide-QRS rhythms, occuring in leads that have a negative QRS complex.  Conversely, ST depression will be seen in leads with wide, upright QRS complexes.  This makes the ECG with LBBB very confusing to read.  Evaluation of the ST segments should be deferred to experts.  Most EMS field protocols allow for a STEMI Alert to be called in LBBB only if the LBBB is known to be new-onset and the patient has obvious cardiac symptoms.  You can find many more examples of LBBB on this site, even LBBB with acute MI.   

This is a great ECG for teaching your students about some of the different causes of wide QRS.  This 89 year old man has a sinus rhythm that is around 100 bpm, and his QRS is widened at 148 ms (.148 sec).  Leads I and V6 are positive, and Lead V1 is negative, meeting the criteria for left bundle branch block. There is a left axis deviation, which is common with LBBB, although it is not always this pronounced, indicating that there is possibly another cause for LAD.  In this ECG, there are also PVCs and probable fusion beats.  The 14th beat is a PVC.  Complexes 1, 6, and 9 are possibly fusion beats. Fusion can be described as an almost simultaneous sinus beat and ventricular beat.  The depolarization waves, one coming from the top of the heart and one coming from the bottom, meet and "fuse" on the ECG.  Fusion beats will have some characteristics of the supraventricular beats and some of the ventricular beats.  They are not significant except that fusion can be said to "prove" the existence of a ventricular pacemaker - either a natural pacemaker or an electronic one.

Do you see anything else interesting in this ECG?  How would YOU describe this rhythm?  Please do not hesitate to add your comments, or ask questions of the experts who contribute to this site.  We will respond quickly to all questions.