Cardiology NAVLE Guide
ECG Rhythm Identification: AF, SVT, and VT in Veterinary Cases
Arrhythmia questions often hinge on pattern recognition and immediate risk prioritization. This guide focuses on AF, SVT, and VT differentiation with practical clinical implications.
Use this guide to move from first-pass pattern recognition to structured diagnostic and treatment logic. The flow is designed for NAVLE-style decision sequencing and practical ward preparation.
Rapid Algorithm
- Confirm the rhythm strip quality and heart rate context before labeling arrhythmia type.
- Separate irregularly irregular patterns from regular narrow or wide complex tachycardias.
- Assess perfusion and hemodynamic stability in parallel with rhythm identification.
- Choose first-step stabilization and monitoring pathway based on instability risk.
- Reassess after intervention and document response pattern for next-step decisions.
Diagnostic Flow
- Use multiple leads or longer strips when single snapshots are equivocal.
- Pair ECG interpretation with perfusion signs and blood pressure trends.
- Check electrolytes and acid-base context when rhythm instability escalates.
- Imaging and structural workup help identify underlying drivers of persistent arrhythmias.
- Serial rhythm monitoring is essential after treatment changes.
Treatment Flow
- Prioritize stabilization in unstable VT patterns before deep rhythm classification debates.
- Use rate or rhythm control strategy according to arrhythmia type and perfusion response.
- Correct reversible contributors such as electrolyte derangement and hypoxia early.
- Coordinate cardiology follow-up for recurrent or complex arrhythmia profiles.
- Plan owner monitoring and emergency return criteria for outpatient rhythm cases.
Exam Traps
- Labeling rhythms without evaluating perfusion significance is a frequent error.
- Confusing AF with artifact or vice versa can derail management sequence.
- Treating regular wide-complex tachycardia as benign by default can be dangerous.
- Ignoring electrolyte influence on rhythm persistence weakens treatment durability.
- Skipping post-intervention rhythm reassessment misses early failure signs.
Practice Prompts
- Which ECG features separate AF from SVT quickly?
- When should VT be treated as an immediate instability emergency?
- How do electrolytes alter arrhythmia management priorities?
- What monitoring intervals are reasonable after antiarrhythmic changes?
- Which structural diseases most commonly drive persistent arrhythmias?
Related Content
Sources and Review Notes
- Drug label search (DailyMed)
- IRIS stages
- Normal lab values
- Heartworm treatment protocol
- Lab test protocols
- Microchip lookup
- Vertebral Heart Score
- BCS charts
- ACVIM cardiology consensus guideline references
- Dental charts
- AAHA vaccination guidelines
- Flea/tick product info
- Dog/cat breed search
- RECOVER CPR guidelines
Last reviewed: February 13, 2026
Educational only. This page is designed for study and does not replace case-specific diagnosis, local protocols, or direct supervision.