Diagnosing and treating ventricular tachycardia.

The misdiagnosis of wide complex tachycardias often leads to improper treatment and adverse patient outcomes. This article presents a thorough review of the validated electrocardiographic criteria useful in the diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia versus supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy. Current information on bedside monitoring, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment, psychological impact, and discharge planning is discussed.