Ken Grauer, MD

DECEMBER 15, 2023

ECG #2 was actually done first, at the time the EMS unit arrived on the scene ( at which time the patient was having severe chest pain ). ECG Blog #184 — illustrates the "magical" mirror-image opposite relationship with acute ischemia between lead III and lead aVL ( featured in Audio Pearl #2 in this blog post ).

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Blog STEMI Ischemia Chest Pain 151

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 27, 2025

After only 90 minutes of chest pain, the first troponin was unsurprisingly in the normal range at 11ng/L (normal <26 in males and <16 in females), so the emergency physician waited for repeat troponin. But it was interpreted as no acute ischemia and the patient was referred to cardiology as Non-STEMI. Cardiology aware.

STEMI 79

STEMI Chest Pain Pericarditis Ischemia 79

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 27, 2023

Written by Willy Frick A man in his 50s with a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and prior inferior OMI status post DES to his proximal RCA 3 years prior presented to the emergency department at around 3 AM complaining of chest pain onset around 9 PM the evening prior. The following ECG was obtained.

Chest Pain 129

Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction Blog Stent 129

Ken Grauer, MD

JANUARY 13, 2024

My written interpretation on a tracing such as this one would read, "Marked LVH and 'strain' and/or ischemia — with need for clinical correlation." BOTTOM Line: Today's patient presented with a 2-3 day history of chest pain and the ECG shown in Figure-1. ECG Blog #276 — and ECG Blog #309 — Reviews the entity of Giant T waves.

Blog 159

Blog Ischemia AFIB Hypertension 159

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 5, 2023

On the day of presentation she complained of typical chest pain, and stated it feels like prior MI. ECG#1 Assessing ischemia on an ECG with wide QRS complexes (AIVR, ventricular pacing, BBB, etc) can be challenging. Many health care providers will simply not attempt to assess ischemia in the presence of a wide QRS.

Chest Pain 111

Chest Pain Ischemia Pacemaker Stent 111

Ken Grauer, MD

OCTOBER 21, 2023

Subendocardial Ischemia from another Cause ( ie, sustained tachyarrhythmia; cardiac arrest; shock or profound hypotension; GI bleeding; anemia; "sick patient" , etc. ). To EMPHASIZE: This pattern of diffuse Subendocardial Ischemia does not suggest acute coronary occlusion ( ie, it is not the pattern of an acute MI ).

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Blog Chest Pain Ischemia STEMI 98

Ken Grauer, MD

APRIL 5, 2024

As a result, the ST elevation ( with especially tall, peaked T wave in lead V2) — is not indication of acute ischemia. Today's patient is a middle-aged woman who presented with low back pain, shortness of breath and marked hypertension — but no chest pain.

Blog 94

Blog Ischemia Chest Pain Hypertension 94

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 18, 2024

Written by Jesse McLaren A 70 year old with prior MIs and stents to LAD and RCA presented to the emergency department with 2 weeks of increasing exertional chest pain radiating to the left arm, associated with nausea. But no ECG met STEMI criteria so the patient was referred to cardiology as Non-STEMI.

STEMI 120

STEMI Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction Blog 120

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 3, 2018

In the evening, a middle-aged man complained of chest pain at the nursing home. His chest pain was vague. He mentioned "cancer" and "chest". Nurses found him with a BP of 50/30 and heart rate of 130 and called EMS. He was awake, with a pulse of 130 and BP of 50/30. Fluids were started.

Chest Pain 40

Chest Pain Tachycardia Atrial Flutter Ultrasound 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 13, 2020

A 60-something man presented by EMS with 5 hours of fairly typical sounding substernal chest pain. Here is the EMS ECG: Obviously massive diffuse subendocardial ischemia, with profound STD and STE in aVR Of course this pattern is most often seen from etoliogies other than ACS.

Echocardiogram 52

Echocardiogram Ischemia Chest Pain Blog 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 14, 2018

(In other words, the artery was occluded but has sponteneously reperfused, resulting in pain relief) It is important to monitor patients with Wellens' syndrome for re-occlusion, which is usually, but not always, associated with recurrent chest pain. The patient remained pain free. Learning Points: 1.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Angina Ischemia Stenosis 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 19, 2018

A middle-aged woman had an acute onset of chest pain and dyspnea. The pain had almost resolved by the time an ECG was obtained in the ED: Here is the computer diagnosis What do you think? This confirms that there were dynamic signs of ischemia on the initial ECG. The ST depression in aVL is also resolved.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Ischemia Myocardial Infarction Angina 52

DAIC

JANUARY 3, 2024

Traditional methods of non-invasive ischemia testing (stress EKG , stress echo, SPECT , PET , direct-to-cath) can result in false negatives 20-30 percent of the time, which can lead to undetected disease, and false positives over 50 percent of the time, which can lead to unnecessary invasive procedures. Neth Heart J 2018. Patel et al.

Coronary Artery Disease 59

Coronary Artery Disease Chest Pain Plaque Technology 59

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 29, 2018

Written by Pendell Meyers A male in his 50s with history of HTN, DM, HLD presented with chest pain of less than one hour duration. Here is a repeat ECG 45 minutes later with persistent chest pain: Obviously progressing into a clear STEMI. Here is his triage ECG: What do you think? The ECG was interpreted as non-ischemic.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain STEMI Diabetes Hypertension 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

The best course is to wait until the anatomy is defined by angio, then if proceeding to PCI, add Cangrelor (an IV P2Y12 inhibitor) I sent the ECG and clinical information of a 90-year old with chest pain to Dr. McLaren. His response: “subendocardial ischemia. Anything more on history? J Electrocardiol 2013;46:240-8 2.

Ischemia 52

Ischemia STEMI Stenosis Chest Pain 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 16, 2024

This is the prehospital ECG from an 81 year old man with acute chest pain. The PEARL is that recognition of a longer-than-expected P wave in a supraventricular tachycardia should bring to mind the “Bix Rule” ( See My Comment at the bottom of the page in the August 3, 2018 post in Dr. Smith's ECG Blog ). Would you give lytics?

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Atrial Flutter Chest Pain Tachycardia Arrhythmia 59

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 11, 2018

A 40-something woman had sudden chest pain. Comment by KEN GRAUER, MD ( 7/11/2018 ): = Insightful blog post by Dr. Smith regarding ECG criteria for recognizing acute RV involvement in patients with inferior STEMI. See P.S. below ) == P.S. : I believe I found another example of ischemia-induced J waves ( See Oct.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain STEMI Ischemia Blog 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

Chest trauma was suspected on initial exam. The ECG shows sinus tachycardia with RBBB and LAFB, without clear additional superimposed signs of ischemia. Gunshot wound to the chest with ST Elevation Would your radiologist make this diagnosis, or should you record an ECG in trauma? ST depression. Myocardial Contusion?

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Tachycardia Dysrhythmia Bradycardia Atrial Fibrillation 114

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 24, 2018

If it is a chest pain patient, I would get a formal echo and serial ECGs. There were no others: Notice the similarities to the ECG above, confirming that they are baseline Then he sent the clinical history, which was of a malfunctioning ICD, but without any chest pain or SOB. And look for an old EKG."

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Exercise Myocardial Infarction Blog 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 31, 2018

About this time, the 4th troponin, drawn at 8 hours after onset of pain, peaked at 20.956 ng/mL. Now you have ECG and troponin evidence of ischemia, AND ventricular dysrhythmia, which means this is NOT a stable ACS. It they are static, then they are not due to ischemia. Again, cath lab was not activated. Circ Cardiovasc Interv.

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SCAD Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction Ischemia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Am J Cardiol 2018; 122(8):1303-1309. This is the initial ED ECG of a 46 year old male with chest pain: The QTc was 420 ST Elevation at 60 ms after the J-point in lead V3 = 2.5 ng/ml) A 45 year old male called 911 for chest pain: The QTc was 400 ST Elevation at 60 ms after the J-point in lead V3 = 3.5 QRS V2 = 15.5

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain STEMI Bradycardia Stenosis 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 20, 2018

A 40 something woman with a history of hyperlipidemia and additional risk factors including a smoking history presented with substernal chest pain radiating to "both axilla" as well as the upper back. She was reportedly "pacing in her room while holding her chest". Journal of Electrocardiology 2018. TnI peaked at 67.10

Pericarditis 52

Pericarditis Chest Pain Blog Ultrasound 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 15, 2018

She went on to describe her chest pain as a "buffalo sitting on my chest" and a "weird" sensation in her jaw for 1 hour prior to arrival, associated with lightheadedness and diaphoresis. The patient was given fentanyl initially for chest pain with minimal effect and then vomited which was followed by zofran and famotidine.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Critical Care Article Pacemaker 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 6, 2020

male with a history of HTN and ETOH developed squeezing epigastric abdominal pain with associated vomiting and diaphoresis, followed by a syncopal episode which lasted about 10 seconds. When medics arrived, he denied any chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations prior to the syncopal episode.

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Chest Pain Ischemia Angina Electrocardiogram 40

EMS 12-Lead

MAY 20, 2022

There is broad subendocardial ischemia as demonstrated by STE aVR with concomitant STD that almost appears appropriately maximal in Leads II and V5. There is LBBB-like morphology with persistent patterns of subendocardial ischemia. This is the initial ECG: The QRS is widened with a regular cadence, and there are no discernable P waves.

Cardiomyopathy 52

Cardiomyopathy Ischemia STEMI Coronary Angiogram 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 6, 2018

We knew only that the ECG belonged to a man in his 50s with chest pain and normal vitals. The day prior to presentation (about 12 hours prior to presentation) he described sudden onset chest pain and shortness of breath while gardening in his back yard. He had no further pain and went to bed that night with no complaints.

Chest Pain 40

Chest Pain STEMI Myocardial Infarction Coronary Artery Disease 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 15, 2023

The patient contacted EMS after a few hours of chest pain that started 5:30 AM. The pain was described as 6/10 radiating to the right shoulder. The chest pain was described as both sharp and pressure like. He is otherwise healthy. Vital signs were within normal limits, and the patient was not ill appearing.

Chest Pain 60

Chest Pain Blog Ischemia Risk Factors 60

Ken Grauer, MD

JULY 15, 2023

Additional Teaching Points: Type-2 MI ( M yocardial I nfarction ) — is defined by an increase in troponin with evidence of ischemia that is not due acute coronary disease, but which instead results from a mismatch in oxygen supply and demand ( Smilowitz et al — Coron Artery Dis 29(1):46-52, 2018 ).

Blog 78

Blog Coronary Angiogram Cardiomyopathy Ischemia 78

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 15, 2019

If a patient presents with chest pain and a normal heart rate, or with shockable cardiac arrest, then ischemic appearing ST elevation is STEMI until proven otherwise. CLICK HERE — for the ESC/ACC/AHA/WHF 2018 Consensus Document on the 4th Universal Definition of MI, in which these concepts are discussed and illustrated.

Tachycardia 40

Tachycardia STEMI Chest Pain Ischemia 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 9, 2018

Denied headache, chest pain, nausea / vomiting. If this patient had chest pain and the value suggested early repol, I would be very hesitant to act on it. 2) There are three causes of tall T waves; hyperkalemia, hyperacute ischemia and normal variant (Atlas of Electrocardiography by K. Wang, (pages 222-224).

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STEMI Chest Pain RN Anatomy 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 5, 2022

Acute chest pain and a bizarre ECG Bizarre (Hyperacute??) Incredibly , this case was just published in Circulation on January 22, 2018 (thanks to Brooks Walsh for finding this!) 2018; 137: 402-404. I thought the overall picture in these 6 chest leads did not look like acute OMI. What do you think? 2012;45(1):15-17.

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Article Chest Pain Circulation Electrocardiogram 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 27, 2018

But lead V2 has a worrisome amount of ST elevation, and in a chest pain patient, I would be worried about STEMI. All bets would be off if instead of no chest pain, this patient had worrisome new-onset symptoms. The Ratios of STE to S-wave: V1: 2.5/16 P EARL : Clinical correlation is KEY in this case.

Chest Pain 40

Chest Pain Hypertension STEMI Heart Disease 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 18, 2022

Case A 39-year-old male without prior medical history presents with chest pain that started 2 hours prior to presentation. He says that the pain intensity was 10/10 at home but now about 4/10. Despite the clinical stability and decreasing pain, this patient needs an immediate angiogram. Here are his publications.)

Myocardial Infarction 40

Myocardial Infarction Chest Pain Blog Echocardiogram 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 25, 2022

ECG of pneumopericardium and probable myocardial contusion shows typical pericarditis Male in 30's, 2 days after Motor Vehicle Collsion, complains of Chest Pain and Dyspnea Head On Motor Vehicle Collision. Gunshot wound to the chest with ST Elevation Would your radiologist make this diagnosis, or should you record an ECG in trauma?

Arrhythmia 52

Arrhythmia Blog Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest 52

Ken Grauer, MD

JUNE 2, 2023

ie, with syncope-presyncope, fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain? ). Ruling out other potential causes of bradycardia ( ie, recent ischemia-infarction; hypothyroidism ). The July 5, 2018 post in Dr. Smith's ECG Blog — ( Please see My Comment at the bottom of the page for Review on the ECG diagnosis of S ick S inus Syndrome).

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Blog Bradycardia Arrhythmia Chest Pain 78

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 15, 2023

She did notice something slightly wrong subjectively, but had no palpitations, chest pain, or SOB, or any other symptom. For more on SSS — See My Comment at the bottom of the page in the July 5, 2018 post in Dr. Smith’s ECG Blog. Her Apple Watch suddenly told her that she is in atrial fibrillation. She was on no medications.

Atrial Fibrillation 52

Atrial Fibrillation AFIB Arrhythmia Exercise 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 26, 2020

There is sinus rhythm with a relatively normal QRS complex followed by a hint of STD that is maximal in V4-V6, which appears to me to be an expected amount of supply-demand mismatch ischemia from his immediately post-ROSC state. The patient was not experiencing any typical coronary chest pain at these short episodes of ST-E.

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Ischemia Arrhythmia Defibrillator Chest Pain 40