Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 10, 2025

Written by Jesse McLaren A 50 year old presented to triage with one hour of chest pain, and the following ECG labeled normal by the computer (GE Marquette SL) algorithm. Smith comment: we showed that the first troponin, even in full-blown STEMI, is negative 25% of the time. What do you think?

Chest Pain 89

Chest Pain Outcomes STEMI Electrocardiogram 89

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

A 50 year old presented to the emergency department of a remote rural community (where the nearest cath lab is a plane ride away) with one hour of mild chest pain radiating to the back and jaw, and an ECG labeled ‘normal’ by the computer interpretation. What do you think, and how would you manage the patient?

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Chest Pain Blog STEMI 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 30, 2023

A 60 yo with 2 previous inferior (RCA) STEMIs, stented, called 911 for one hour of chest pain. Here is his most recent previous ECG: This was recorded after intervention for inferior STEMI (with massive ST Elevation, see below), and shows inferior Q-waves with T-wave inversion typical of completed inferior OMI.

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STEMI Heart Failure Stents Stent 123

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 22, 2024

Written by Willy Frick A man in his 50s with history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a 30 pack-year smoking history presented to the ER with 1 hour of acute onset, severe chest pain and diaphoresis. For national registry purposes, this will be incorrectly classified as a STEMI.) Most STEMI have peak cTnI greater than 10.0.

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Chest Pain STEMI Bradycardia Ischemia 114

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 6, 2024

Written by Magnus Nossen with Edits by Grauer and Smith The ECGs in today’s case are from 3 different patients all presenting with new-onset CP ( Chest Pain ). It definitely does not fulfill STEMI criteria, and I would argue that it would not lead to cath lab activation in most centers. The ECG shows ST depression in lead V3.

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Chest Pain Ischemia Pericarditis Tachycardia 104

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 23, 2023

Written by Pendell Meyers A man in his early 40s experienced acute onset chest pain. The chest pain started about 24 hours ago, but there was no detailed information available about whether his pain had come and gone, or what prompted him to be evaluated 24 hours after onset. 2022 Jan;51:384-387.

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Chest Pain STEMI Blog Stents 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 17, 2024

Written by Jesse McLaren Two patients in their 70s presented to the ED with chest pain and RBBB. Patient 1 : a 75 year old called paramedics with one day of left shoulder pain which migrated to the central chest, which was worse with deep breaths. Do either, both, or neither have occlusion MI? Vitals were normal.

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Chest Pain STEMI Pulmonary Embolism 73

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 31, 2023

A 67 yo f developed chest pain this morning." Cath lab declined as it is not a STEMI." And now this finding is even formally endorsed as a "STEMI equivalent" in the 2022 ACC guidelines!!! Another myocardial wall is sacrificed at the altar of the STEMI/NonSTEMI mindset. Cath attending is aware. Abstract 556.

STEMI 96

STEMI Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction Ischemia 96

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 29, 2023

Written by Jesse McLaren A previously healthy 50 year-old presented with 24 hours of intermittent exertional chest pain, radiating to the arms and associated with shortness of breath. In a previously healthy patient with new and ongoing chest pain, this is concerning for acute occlusion of the first diagonal artery.

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Chest Pain STEMI Myocardial Infarction Electrocardiogram 70

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 8, 2024

Let me tell you about her hospitalization, discharged 1 day prior, but it was at another hospital (I wish I had the ECG from that hospitalization): The patient is 40 years old and presented to another hospital with chest pain and SOB. She had been sitting doing work when she experienced "waves of chest tightness". Sats were 88%.

Chest Pain 71

Chest Pain Pulmonary Embolism STEMI 71

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 30, 2023

A 50-something man presented in shock with severe chest pain. There is an obvious inferior posterior STEMI(+) OMI. Methods Retrospective study of consecutive inferior STEMI , comparing ECGs of patients with, to those without, RVMI, as determined by angiographic coronary occlusion proximal to the RV marginal branch.

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Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction STEMI Cardiogenic Shock 97

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 19, 2024

Case An 82 year old man with a history of hypertension presented to the ED with chest pain at 1211. He described his chest pain as pleuritic and reported that it started the day prior while swinging a golf club. His pain suddenly became much worse in the ED and he became acutely diaphoretic, dizzy, and hypotensive.

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Chest Pain Pericarditis Pacemaker STEMI 60

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

JANUARY 2, 2024

Background Despite the crucial role of Chest pain centers (CPCs) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) management, China's mortality rate for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has remained stagnant. Conclusion CPC quality control metrics affect STEMI mortality based on Killip class.

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Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction COVID-19 Catheterization Laboratory 59

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 19, 2023

This is diagnostic of infero-posterior OMI, but it is falsely negative by STEMI criteria and with falsely negative posterior leads (though they do show mild ST elevation in V4R). Because the patient had no chest pain or shortness of breath, they were initially diagnosed as gastroenteritis. Potassium was normal. Take home 1.

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Chest Pain STEMI Myocardial Infarction Blog 98

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. I sent this to the Queen of Hearts So the ECG is both STEMI negative and has no subtle diagnostic signs of occlusion.

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STEMI Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction Blog 121

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 14, 2022

Sent by Drew Williams, written by Pendell Meyers A man in his 50s with history of hypertension was standing at the bus stop when he developed sudden onset severe pressure-like chest pain radiating to his neck and right arm, associated with dyspnea, diaphoresis, and presyncope. When is it anterior STEMI? Is this Acute Ischemia?

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Chest Pain STEMI Blog Stenosis 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 6, 2023

Sent by anonymous, written by Pendell Meyers A man in his 60s presented with acute chest pain with diaphoresis. Diagnosis: Acute non-ST segment elevation MI (Non-STEMI, or NSTEMI) Second troponin returned at around 0200: 15,894 ng/L 0245 (unclear if ongoing pain or not) Inferoposterior (and lateral V5-6) reperfusion findings.

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Chest Pain Physiology Blog Stents 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 30, 2023

Case sent by Logan Stark MD, written by Pendell Meyers A woman in her 70s presented with acute chest pain. It started 10 hours prior to arrival, then had improved, then recently returned. No prior ECG was available. Here is her triage ECG: What do you think? The ECG was sent to me with no information, and I replied "OMI".

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Chest Pain Blog Arrhythmia STEMI 71

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 15, 2023

Written by Pendell Meyers Both of these cases were sent to me with no information other than adults with acute chest pain. Case 1 An elderly male presented with chest pain. Case 2 A man in his 60s presented with acute chest pain, about 1 hour prior to evaluation: What do you think? We will study this soon.

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STEMI Chest Pain Stenosis Outcomes 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 6, 2023

Submitted and written by Anonymous, edits by Meyers and Smith A 50s-year-old patient with no known cardiac history presented at 0045 with three hours of unrelenting central chest pain. The pain was heavy, radiated to her jaw with an associated headache. Triage VS: 135/65 mmHg, 95 bpm, 94% on room air, 16/min, 98.6 Lupu L, et al.

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Chest Pain Ischemia Myocardial Infarction ICU 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 27, 2023

I knew that, if the patient had presented with chest discomfort, that this ECG is diagnostic of inferior posterior OMI, even though it is not a STEMI. Instead, in view of the history of new chest pain — it is the sum total of 11/12 leads showing subtle-but-real ECG findings that have to be taken as acute until proven otherwise.

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Chest Pain Ischemia Myocardial Infarction Blog 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 25, 2023

Healthy male under 25 years old with a pretty good story for acute onset crushing chest pain relieved with nitro. Smith and Meyers to diagnose both obvious (STEMI) and subtle OMI. But the stuttering pain and sudden onset suggest acute coronary occlusion (Occlusion MI, or OMI). No pericardial effusion on ultrasound."

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Chest Pain Pericarditis Blog Cardiomyopathy 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 8, 2022

There is clearly sufficient STE for STEMI criteria in leads V2 and aVL, but lead I has less than 1.0 mm of STE - thus, technically this ECG does not meet STEMI criteria, although it is a quite obvious OMI. This ECG was immediatel y discussed with the on-call cardiologist who said the ECG was "concerning but not a STEMI."

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Chest Pain SCAD STEMI Blog 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 23, 2022

Case submitted by Rachel Plate MD, written by Pendell Meyers A man in his 70s presented with chest pain which had started acutely at rest and has lasted for 2 hours. The pain was still ongoing at arrival. He also noted a bilateral "odd feeling" in his arms. He stated it was similar to prior heart attacks.

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Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Cardiogenic Shock Heart Attack 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 23, 2023

Submitted and written by Megan Lieb, DO with edits by Bracey, Smith, Meyers, and Grauer A 50-ish year old man with ICD presented to the emergency department with substernal chest pain for 3 hours prior to arrival. At this time he reported ongoing chest pain and was given aspirin and nitroglycerin.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Blog Stenosis Myocardial Infarction 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 22, 2022

Written by Jesse McLaren, with comments from Smith and Grauer A 60 year old presented with three weeks of intermittent non-exertional chest pain without associated symptoms. A prospective validation of the HEART score for chest pain patients at the emergency department. American Journal of Emergency Medicine 2022 4.

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Chest Pain Ischemia Myocardial Infarction Angina 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 1, 2022

Discharge Diagnosis was STEMI (The STE did not meet "criteria," so "OMI" would be better, but "STEMI" is far better than what this could have been called: NonSTEMI) Quotes from a note written by a really fine and knowledgable physician: "12-lead EKG was obtained initial 1 at time zero. Chest pain is squeezing or tight in nature.

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Chest Pain Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Pericarditis Blog 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 13, 2022

Written by Jesse McLaren, with edits from Smith and Grauer A 60 year old with no past medical history presented with two hours of chest pain radiating to the left arm, with normal vitals. But it doesn’t meet STEMI criteria, and was not identified by the computer or the over-reading cardiologist. What do you think? CMAJ 2014.

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Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction Ischemia STEMI 52

Ken Grauer, MD

OCTOBER 25, 2024

The following are the KEY clinical and ECG features that establish the diagnosis of W ellens ' S yndrome : There should be a history of prior chest pain that has resolved at the time the defining ECG is obtained. The Chest Pain required for the definition of Wellens' Syndrome occurred at the time of coronary occlusion.

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Blog Chest Pain STEMI Cardiogenic Shock 95

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 8, 2023

Edits by Meyers and Smith A man in his 70s with PMH of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, CVA, dual-chamber Medtronic pacemaker, presented to the ED for evaluation of acute chest pain. Code STEMI was activated by the ED physician based on the diagnostic ECG for LAD OMI in ventricular paced rhythm. Limkakeng AT.

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Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction STEMI Pacemaker 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

It has been estimated that in the aggregate, they occur at a rate of about 3 per 1000 patients with acute MI, and most of these events occur in patients with STEMI. A mong patients with STEMI, ventricular septal rupture is the most common and free wall rupture is the least common.

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Cardiogenic Shock Chest Pain Pericarditis Myocardial Infarction 109

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 19, 2022

Written by Pendell Meyers, edits by Smith and Grauer A man in his late 20s with history of asthma presented to the ED with a transient episode of chest pain and shortness of breath after finishing a 4-mile run. His symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath were attributed to an asthma exacerbation during exercise.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Exercise Pacemaker Coronary Angiogram 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Recall from this post referencing this study that "reciprocal STD in aVL is highly sensitive for inferior OMI (far better than STEMI criteria) and excludes pericarditis, but is not specific for OMI." See this case: Persistent Chest Pain, an Elevated Troponin, and a Normal ECG. See this case: A man his 50s with chest pain.

Myocardial Infarction 123

Myocardial Infarction Chest Pain STEMI Blood Pressure 123

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 15, 2024

A prehospital “STEMI” activation was called on a 75 year old male ( Patient 1 ) with a history of hyperlipidemia and LAD and Cx OMI with stent placement. He arrived to the ED by helicopter at 1507, about three hours after the start of his chest pain while chopping wood around noon. He wrote most of it and I (Smith) edited.

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Chest Pain STEMI Echocardiogram Stents 116

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 4, 2024

Algorithm: Veritas (on Mortara machines) The Queen gets it right Case 2 A middle-aged woman with chest pain and a "normal" ECG in triage. Unknown algorithm The Queen gets it right Case 4 How unreliable are computer algorithms in the Diagnosis of STEMI? Pain was resolving. The OMI was not seen and she arrested in triage.

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STEMI Blog Chest Pain Webinar 128

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 22, 2022

The pain was completely resolved after coronary intervention. Take home messages: 1- In STEMI/NSTEMI paradigm you search for STE on ECG. If this patient was managed according to the STEMI/NSTEMI paradigm (although he would be a candidate for early invasive treatment), he would probably be taken to the cath lab hours later.

STEMI 52

STEMI Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction Electrocardiogram 52

Ken Grauer, MD

FEBRUARY 3, 2024

Despite the absence of significant coronary stenosis on her post-arrest cath — the ECG in Figure-1 is clearly diagnostic of an extensive anterolateral STEMI ( presumably from acute LAD [ L eft A nterior D escending ] coronary artery occlusion). The rhythm in ECG #1 is regular and supraventricular at a rate of ~75/minute.

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Blog Cardiac Arrest STEMI Plaque 164