The Wide QRS Tachycardia VT Score Calculator is a clinical decision-support tool used to assess whether a tachycardia with a wide QRS complex is more likely to be of ventricular origin (ventricular tachycardia - VT) rather than a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with abnormal conduction. This distinction is critical because the management, treatment, and urgency can differ significantly depending on the underlying rhythm.
Wide QRS tachycardia refers to a heart rhythm disorder where the QRS duration on an ECG is greater than 120 milliseconds. This typically suggests an abnormal conduction pathway in the ventricles, and it raises the possibility of VT. However, some supraventricular rhythms can also present with wide QRS complexes, especially in the presence of bundle branch blocks or preexisting conduction defects. Determining the correct diagnosis can sometimes be challenging, especially in emergency situations.
This calculator incorporates several ECG-based diagnostic criteria commonly used by cardiologists and emergency physicians to identify VT. Each criterion represents a specific pattern or finding on the ECG that increases the likelihood of a ventricular origin. For example, the presence of an initial R wave in lead V1, a broad R wave in aVR, or signs of atrioventricular dissociation are all suggestive of VT. Each positive finding adds points to the total score.
When and why it's used:
The Wide QRS Tachycardia VT Score Calculator is typically used in acute care settings such as emergency departments, intensive care units, and cardiology clinics. It is especially helpful when a patient presents with a rapid, wide-complex rhythm and the diagnosis is unclear. Since treating VT incorrectly as SVT can have serious consequences, this scoring system provides an evidence-based, structured approach to improve diagnostic accuracy and support clinical judgment.
While this calculator does not replace a full clinical evaluation or ECG interpretation by a specialist, it serves as a quick and valuable aid for clinicians to assess risk and determine the most appropriate next steps in diagnosis and treatment.
The Wide QRS Tachycardia VT Score Calculator is primarily intended for use by healthcare professionals, including emergency physicians, cardiologists, internists, and other clinicians who are trained in electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation. It can also be a useful learning aid for medical students, residents, and other healthcare trainees who are developing their diagnostic skills in cardiology and acute care medicine.
This tool is designed to support rapid clinical decision-making in situations where time is critical and accuracy is essential — such as when a patient presents with a fast, wide-complex rhythm and the diagnosis between ventricular tachycardia (VT) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with aberrancy is uncertain. It allows medical users to systematically check for key ECG signs and receive a score that helps guide their assessment.
Important note for non-medical users:
This calculator is not intended for use by patients or individuals without a background in medicine. The information provided and the criteria used require a solid understanding of ECG interpretation and clinical context. Misuse or misinterpretation of the score without proper medical training could lead to incorrect conclusions and potentially harmful decisions.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, or fainting, it is important to seek immediate medical attention rather than relying on tools like this one. Only a qualified healthcare provider can accurately diagnose and manage heart rhythm abnormalities.
The Wide QRS Tachycardia VT Score Calculator is based on a simple point system derived from specific electrocardiographic (ECG) findings known to be associated with ventricular tachycardia (VT). Each time you check one of the listed criteria, a corresponding number of points is added to the total score. The higher the score, the more likely it is that the wide QRS tachycardia is of ventricular origin.
The calculator performs automatic real-time calculations as soon as a checkbox is selected or deselected. This helps users instantly visualize how each finding contributes to the overall VT probability, allowing for faster and more informed decision-making.
Each selected finding adds to the total score, which appears automatically in the result box below the form. A higher score increases the suspicion of VT and helps guide clinical judgment in acute settings.
Using the Wide QRS Tachycardia VT Score Calculator is quick and straightforward. It allows clinicians to evaluate key ECG findings systematically and obtain a score that reflects the likelihood of ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Once you have selected all the applicable criteria, the total score will appear in the result box labeled “Score:”. You do not need to press a submit button unless you wish to manually recalculate.
VT should be strongly suspected in the presence of a wide QRS complex tachycardia, especially when the score is high (≥4), or when specific features such as atrioventricular dissociation, a dominant R wave in aVR, or absence of RS complexes across precordial leads are observed.
While the Wide QRS Tachycardia VT Score Calculator is a helpful clinical aid, its accuracy depends on careful ECG analysis and proper usage. Below are important tips and reminders to ensure the best results when using this tool:
A wide QRS tachycardia is a heart rhythm disturbance where the heart beats faster than normal and the QRS complex on the ECG is wider than 120 milliseconds. It may be due to ventricular tachycardia (VT) or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with abnormal conduction.
The calculator evaluates specific ECG findings and assigns a score based on how many features of VT are present. A higher score increases the likelihood that the rhythm is ventricular in origin, helping guide diagnosis and treatment decisions.
No. The calculator is a support tool that provides a probability-based score. It should always be used alongside clinical evaluation, patient history, and other diagnostic tools. A confirmed diagnosis requires expert medical assessment.
It is intended for use by healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, and medical students with training in ECG interpretation. It is not designed for self-diagnosis by patients or non-medical individuals.
If you're uncertain about a particular feature, it’s better to consult a cardiologist or experienced clinician. Only select findings you can confidently identify to avoid over- or under-estimating the score.
AV dissociation is considered one of the most specific indicators of VT. When the atria and ventricles beat independently, it strongly suggests that the rhythm originates from the ventricles rather than from above.
A total score of 4 or more points is considered to suggest a high probability of ventricular tachycardia. Scores between 2–3 are intermediate, and 0–1 indicate low probability.
Yes, the calculator is lightweight and responsive, making it accessible from mobile phones, tablets, and computers for use in clinics or on-the-go.
No, it is intended for one-time use during the evaluation of an ECG showing wide QRS tachycardia. It does not monitor heart rhythm continuously or replace clinical follow-up.
No patient data is collected or stored. The calculator runs entirely on your device using JavaScript and does not transmit any information online.
The Wide QRS Tachycardia VT Score Calculator is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is intended to support, not replace, the knowledge, expertise, and clinical judgment of qualified healthcare professionals.
This tool is not a diagnostic device and should not be used as the sole basis for any medical decision. The presence or absence of specific ECG findings should be interpreted in the context of the patient’s complete clinical picture, including symptoms, medical history, and other diagnostic results.
Use of this calculator by non-medical individuals is strongly discouraged, as incorrect interpretation of ECG findings or misapplication of the score may lead to harmful conclusions or delays in appropriate care. If you are a patient experiencing concerning symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, fainting, or shortness of breath, please seek immediate medical attention.