Remove Aneurysm Remove Ischemia Remove STEMI
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Tachycardia must make you doubt an ACS or STEMI diagnosis; put it all in clinical context

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

He was rushed by residents into our critical care room with a diagnosis of STEMI, and they handed me this ECG: There is sinus tachycardia with ST elevation in II, III, and aVF, as well as V4-V6. At first glance, it seems the patient is having a STEMI. ACS and STEMI generally do not cause tachycardia unless there is cardiogenic shock.

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Transient STEMI, serial ECGs prehospital to hospital, all troponins negative (less than 0.04 ng/ml)

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

This is a 45 yo male who had an inferior STEMI 6 months prior, was found to have severe LAD and left main disease, and was supposed to be set up for CABG a few weeks later, but did not follow up. But it could be anterior STEMI. 40% of anterior STEMI has upward concavity in all of leads V2-V6. is likely anterior STEMI).

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A teenager with chest pain, a troponin below the limit of detection, and "benign early repolarization"

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

50% of LAD STEMIs do not have reciprocal findings in inferior leads, and many LAD OMIs instead have STE and/or HATWs in inferior leads instead. The ECG easily meets STEMI criteria in all leads V2-V6, as well. Repeat CT angio chest (not CT coronary, unclear what protocol) showed possible LAD aneurysm and thrombus. Pericarditis?

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Nausea and Vomiting. This ECG is loaded with information.

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

Normal RBBB, no evidence of ischemia. This may be permanent and may be associated with echocardiographic dyskinesis (aneurysm). LV aneurysm is common in completed, full thickness (transmural) MI, which is what we have here. Most STEMI peak at over 10 ng/mL; most NonSTEMI at less than 10 ng/mL. R-waves of of normal height.

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Compare these two ECGs. Do either, neither, or both show anything important?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

The Queen of Hearts correctly says: Smith : Why is this ECG which manifests so much ST Elevation NOT a STEMI (even if it were a 60 year old with chest pain)? Physician interpretation: "No STEMI." Physician: "No STEMI." Cardiologist interpretation: "Technically does not meet STEMI criteria but concerning for ischemia."

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PseudoSTEMI and True ST elevation in Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB). Don't miss case 4 at the bottom.

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

It may be difficult to read STEMI in the setting of RBBB. There is, however, a long QT also, with abnormal T-waves, but this is not STEMI. An elderly patient with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: Formal ECG Interpretation (final read in the chart!) : "Inferior ST elevation, lead III, with reciprocal ST depression in aVL."

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QS-wave in V2: 2 cases, different paradigms lead to different treatment times (STEMI - NSTEMI vs. OMI - NOMI)

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

Only very slight STE which does not meet STEMI criteria at this time. I am immediately worried that this OMI will not be understood, for many reasons including lack of sufficient STE for STEMI criteria, as well as the common misunderstanding of "no reciprocal findings" which is very common with this particular pattern. 6.5 = 0.38.

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