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Abstract Misdiagnosis of ventricular tachycardia as SVT based on hemodynamic stability is a common mistake that can lead to inappropriate and potentially dangerous therapy. The principal goal of a correct diagnosis at presentation is not to harm. An SVT incorrectly thought to be VT may be treated with electrical cardioversion oramiodarone{u2013} not optimal therapy. If the presenting rhythm was instead atrial flutter (AFL), cardioversion in an unanticoagulated patient will incur a 1.5 % risk of stroke, harming one in every 66 patients, in addition to risky sedation, medication, and skin burn for electrical cardioversion. Worse still if the patient with VT is treated as SVT. In this condition, drugs with negative inotropic effects such as CCB (verapamil or diltiazem) may be used to control the presumed SVT. In one study, 100 % of patients given CCB (verapamil) for an inaccurate diagnosis of SVT had hemodynamic deterioration. This mistake must be avoided ifpossible |