Which rhythm is characterized by ventricular tachycardia with amplitude that changes around the isoelectric line?

Which rhythm is characterized by ventricular tachycardia with amplitude that changes around the isoelectric line?

• A. Ventricular fibrillation
• B. Atrial flutter
• C. Ventricular tachycardia
• D. Sinus tachycardia

Answer: (A)

Ventricular fibrillation shows chaotic, uncoordinated electrical activity in the ventricles. On an ECG, you see waves and spikes with irregular, varying amplitudes that wander around the baseline (the isoelectric line) and there are no identifiable P waves, QRS complexes, or T waves. That lack of organized rhythm—just quivering ventricles—is what makes this rhythm so dangerous and distinctive. This differs from ventricular tachycardia, which is fast but usually has a regular, wide QRS pattern indicating a coordinated but rapid ventricular rhythm. Atrial flutter presents with sawtooth flutter waves representing atrial activity, typically with a regular ventricular response. Sinus tachycardia is a faster heart rate with normal P waves preceding each beat and a generally organized rhythm. So the description of rapidly changing amplitude around the baseline points to ventricular fibrillation—the chaotic, non‑contracting ventricular activity that requires immediate intervention.

Ventricular fibrillation shows chaotic, uncoordinated electrical activity in the ventricles. On an ECG, you see waves and spikes with irregular, varying amplitudes that wander around the baseline (the isoelectric line) and there are no identifiable P waves, QRS complexes, or T waves. That lack of organized rhythm—just quivering ventricles—is what makes this rhythm so dangerous and distinctive.

This differs from ventricular tachycardia, which is fast but usually has a regular, wide QRS pattern indicating a coordinated but rapid ventricular rhythm. Atrial flutter presents with sawtooth flutter waves representing atrial activity, typically with a regular ventricular response. Sinus tachycardia is a faster heart rate with normal P waves preceding each beat and a generally organized rhythm.

So the description of rapidly changing amplitude around the baseline points to ventricular fibrillation—the chaotic, non‑contracting ventricular activity that requires immediate intervention.