Ken Grauer, MD

OCTOBER 27, 2023

This suggests ischemia of uncertain duration. Given this patient's older age — if nothing "fixable" is found, she most likely has SSS ( S ick S inus S yndrome ) and will need a pacemaker ( See ECG Blog #342 for more on SSS ). See ECG Blog #188 for review on how to read and/or draw Laddergrams ).

Blog 103

Blog Pacemaker Bradycardia Arrhythmia 103

Ken Grauer, MD

APRIL 9, 2023

The Long Lead II Rhythm Strip: As always — I favor a systematic approach to rhythm interpretation, using the P s, Q s, 3 R memory aid ( See ECG Blog #185 ). The other main consideration — is to take another look at the 12-lead ECG, and assess this for recent ischemia or infarction.

Blog 78

Blog Chest Pain Arrhythmia Cardiac Arrest 78

Ken Grauer, MD

MARCH 23, 2023

What is the cardiac rhythm shown in the long lead II rhythm strip? Figure-1: The initial ECG in today’s case — obtained from an elderly woman following successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest. ( These are reviewed in ECG Blog #343. To improve visualization — I've digitized the original ECG using PMcardio ).

Blog 78

Blog Tachycardia Arrhythmia Atrial Flutter 78

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 10, 2022

In terms of ischemia, there is both a signal of subendocardial ischemia (STD max in V5-V6 with reciprocal STE in aVR) AND a signal of transmural infarction of the inferior wall with Q wave and STE in lead III with reciprocal STD in I and aVL. He had multiple cardiac arrests with ROSC regained each time.

Cardiac Arrest 52

Cardiac Arrest Chest Pain Embolism Pulmonary 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 5, 2024

The ECG does not show any definite signs of ischemia. IMPRESSION: The finding of sinus bradycardia with 1st-degree AV block + marked sinus arrhythmia + the change in PR interval from beat #5-to-beat #6 — suggests a form of vagotonic block ( See My Comment in the October 9, 2020 post in Dr. Smith's ECG Blog ).

Chest Pain 111

Chest Pain Blog Cardiac Arrest Cardiomyopathy 111

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 29, 2020

A 60-something woman presented after a witnessed cardiac arrest. This is commonly found after epinephrine for cardiac arrest, but could have been pre-existing and a possible contributing factor to cardiac arrest. Final Diagnosis: Cardiac Arrest due to Torsades from long QT of unknown etiology.

Cardiac Arrest 52

Cardiac Arrest Defibrillator Ischemia Tachycardia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024

Although one may have all kinds of ischemic findings as a result of cardiac arrest (rather than cause of cardiac arrest), this degree of ST elevation and HATW is all but diagnostic of acute proximal LAD occlusion. This rules out subendocardial ischemia and is diagnostic of posterior OMI. V4-5 continue to show STD.

Cardiac Arrest 84

Cardiac Arrest STEMI Ischemia SCAD 84

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

See our other blog posts of hypothermia and Osborn waves -- Massive Osborn Waves of Severe Hypothermia (23.6 C), with Cardiac Echo -- A Pathognomonic ECG. His temperature was brought back to normal over time in the ICU. He was extubated and had normal neurologic function. He did well and was discharged.

Blog 135

Blog Cardiac Arrest Atrial Fibrillation Bradycardia 135

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 12, 2020

Use of objective evidence of myocardial ischemia to facilitate the diagnostic and prognostic distinction between type 2 myocardial infarction and myocardial injury. NOTE: For those interested — I review in detail determination of the artifact “culprit extremity” in My Comment in the September 27, 2019 post of Dr. Smith’s ECG Blog.

Cardiac Arrest 52

Cardiac Arrest COVID-19 Myocardial Infarction Cardiogenic Shock 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 14, 2023

Two recent interventions have proven in randomized trials to improve neurologic survival in cardiac arrest: 1) the combination of the ResQPod and the ResQPump (suction device for compression-decompression CPR -- Lancet 2011 ) and 2) Dual Sequential defibrillation. So, your next step is to Trace it down, and Copy it over".

Cardiac Arrest 93

Cardiac Arrest Chest Pain Defibrillator Atrial Flutter 93

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 24, 2013

Such T-waves are almost always reciprocal to ischemia in the region of aVL (although aVL looks n ormal here) , and in a patient with chest pain are nearly diagnostic of ischemia. Ischemia on the ECG can be very subtle and is easily missed. Ischemia on the ECG can be very subtle and is easily missed. Lesson : 1.

Cardiac Arrest 52

Cardiac Arrest Myocardial Infarction Chest Pain Ischemia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 20, 2024

The first task when assessing a wide complex QRS for ischemia is to identify the end of the QRS. The ST segment changes are compatible with severe subendocardial ischemia which can be caused by type I MI from ACS or potentially from type II MI (non-obstructive coronary artery disease with supply/demand mismatch). What do you think?

Cardiogenic Shock 127

Cardiogenic Shock Ischemia Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest 127

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 25, 2023

A prior ECG was available for comparison: Normal One might be tempted to interpret the ST depression as ischemia, but as Smith says, "when the QT is impossibly long, think of hypokalemia and a U-wave rather than T-wave." Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Long QT Syndrome with Continuously Recurrent Polymorphic VT: Management Cardiac Arrest.

Ischemia 117

Ischemia Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Blog 117

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 23, 2024

This was interpreted by the treating clinicians as not showing any evidence of ischemia. The electrophysiologist is a reader of Dr. Smith's ECG Blog. The above said — it may prove insightful to take another look at the Wellens' Syndrome case instantly recognized by Dr. Smith in the August 12, 2022 post in Dr. Smith’s ECG Blog.

Chest Pain 112

Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Sudden Cardiac Death Stents 112

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 4, 2021

This suggests diffuse subendocardial ischemia. However, along with that subendocardial ischemia, there is also STE in lead III with reciprocal ST depression in aVL, and some STE in V1. If there is also subendocardial ischemia, the ST depression vector remains leftward, with a reciprocal ST Elevation vector also to the right.

Ischemia 52

Ischemia Pulmonary STEMI Chest Pain 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 23, 2023

Edited by Bracey, Meyers, Grauer, and Smith A 50-something-year-old female with a history of an unknown personality disorder and alcohol use disorder arrived via EMS following cardiac arrest with return of spontaneous circulation. The described rhythm was an irregular, wide complex rhythm. What is ELECTRICAL ALTERNANS?

Tachycardia 125

Tachycardia Cardiac Arrest ICU Blog 125

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 21, 2023

You can subscribe for news and early access (via participating in our studies) to the Queen of Hearts here: [link] queen-form This EMS ECG was transmitted to the nearby Emergency Department where it was remotely reviewed by a physician, who interpreted it as normal, or at least without any features of ischemia or STEMI.

Chest Pain 98

Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest STEMI Defibrillator 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 21, 2024

There is no definite evidence of acute ischemia. (ie, Simply stated — t he patient was having recurrent PMVT without Q Tc prolongation, and without evidence of ongoing transmural ischemia. ( Some residual ischemia in the infarct border might still be present. Both episodes are initiated by an "R-on-T" phenomenon.

Arrhythmia 118

Arrhythmia Cardiogenic Shock Bradycardia Defibrillator 118

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 3, 2024

When I was shown this ECG, I said it looks like such widespread ischemia that is might be a left main occlusion, or LM ischemia plus circumflex occlusion (high lateral and posterior OMI). Suffice it to say that, "The heart does whatever it will do when a patient is about to arrest". There is STE in aVR.

Cardiogenic Shock 119

Cardiogenic Shock Cardiac Arrest Hospital Ischemia 119

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

His response: “subendocardial ischemia. Smith : It should be noted that, in subendocardial ischemia, in contrast to OMI, absence of wall motion abnormality is common. With the history of Afib, CTA abdomen was ordered to r/o mesenteric ischemia vs ischemic colitis vs small bowel obstruction. Anything more on history?

Ischemia 52

Ischemia STEMI Stenosis Chest Pain 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 8, 2022

Osborn waves have been reported with hypercalcemia, brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, Brugada syndrome, cardiac arrest from VFib — and — severe, acute ischemia resulting in acute MI ( See My Comment in the November 22, 2019 post on Dr. Smith’s Blog ). Rituparna et al — as well as Chauhan and Brahma ( Int.

Cardiac Arrest 52

Cardiac Arrest Bradycardia Ischemia Chest Pain 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 4, 2010

There is profound LVH with anterolateral ST elevation and reciprocal ST depression in II, III, aVF, and ST depression in V5 and V6 that could all be secondary to LVH or could represent ischemia superimposed on the repolarization abnormalities of LVH: note that wherever there is ST depression, it is associated with a very high voltage R-wave.

Cardiac Arrest 52

Cardiac Arrest Ischemia Stenosis STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 18, 2022

The differential is: Posterolateral OMI or subendocardial ischemia The distinction between posterior OMI and subendocardial ischemia can be important and sometimes difficult. Ischemic ST depression includes posterior OMI and subendocardial ischemia. Her prior ECG on file is shown below: What are your next steps?

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Ischemia Aortic Aortic valve 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 11, 2021

Similarly, STEMI guidelines call for urgent angiography for refractory ischemia or electrical/hemodynamic instability, regardless of ECG findings. So there is now high pre-test probability + refractory ischemia + Modified Sgarbossa + dynamic ECG changes. VF arrest is of course "electrical instability"! Learning points 1.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Ischemia Cardiogenic Shock 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 8, 2023

Remember, in diffuse subendocardial ischemia with widespread ST-depression there may b e ST-E in lead s aVR and V1. There are well formed R-waves with good voltage/amplitude which is uncommon for ischemia. Smith: This bizarre ECG looks like a post cardiac arrest ECG with probable acidosis or hyperkalemia in addition to OMI.

Ischemia 114

Ischemia Chest Pain Cardiogenic Shock Cardiac Arrest 114

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 21, 2023

Occurrence of “J Waves” in 12-Lead ECG as a Marker of Acute Ischemia and Their Cellular Basis. Occurrence of "J waves" in 12-lead ECG as a marker of acute ischemia and their cellular basis. The final letter in the SLOWED mnemonic is " D " for "Dead" ( resulting from VT/VF or asystolic cardiac arrest ).

STEMI 52

STEMI Bradycardia Arrhythmia Cardiac Arrest 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

The ECG is diagnostic of LAD occlusion (or even left main occlusion possibly), with the classic pattern of RBBB and LAFB with huge concordant STE in V1-V2, I, and aVL, with reciprocal depression in most other leads (and/or a component of subendocardial ischemia pattern). Plus recommendations from a 5-member panel on cardiac arrest.

Cardiogenic Shock 52

Cardiogenic Shock Chest Pain Tachycardia Ischemia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 19, 2023

They had had twice the rate of cardiac arrest and twice the in-hospital mortality[1] In another study of patients diagnosed with STEMI, those on dialysis experienced delayed reperfusion and double the mortality.[2] They were less likely to have STEMI on ECG, and more likely to be initially diagnosed as non-ACS.

Chest Pain 91

Chest Pain STEMI Myocardial Infarction Blog 91

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 23, 2014

None of these findings are diagnostic of ischemia, but they should give you a high index of suspicion and prompt serial ECGs at a minimum. The patient was diagnosed with esophageal reflux and was being discharged by the nurse when he had a cardiac arrest. Ischemia comes and goes. He was defibrillated. Anterolateral STEMI.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Ischemia STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 25, 2017

See this post and associated case reports: Cardiac arrest, severe acidosis, and a bizarre ECG The patient was admitted and ruled out for acute MI by serial troponins. Cocaine not only has effects on dopamine neurotransmission, but is also a sodium channel blocker, as are all "-caine" local anesthetics.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain STEMI Cardiac Arrest Ischemia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 27, 2023

hours ECG: Not much change hs troponin I peaks at 500 ng/L 8 hours Next morning Urine drug screen: Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Fentanyl metabolite Formal Bubble Contrast Echocardiogram: Indications for Study: Silent Ischemia. Conclusion: Type II MI probable due to hypoxia and tachycardia from resp arrest and amphetamine use.

Tachycardia 52

Tachycardia Ischemia Cardiac Arrest Echocardiogram 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 5, 2022

Steve, what do you think of this ECG in this Cardiac Arrest Patient?" A woman in her 50s with dyspnea and bradycardia A patient with cardiac arrest, ROSC, and right bundle branch block (RBBB). HyperKalemia with Cardiac Arrest. Is this just right bundle branch block? 72; Issue 9; 2018.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Bradycardia Cardiac Arrest STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

He had a previous MI with cardiac arrest 2 years prior. Down-up T-waves in inferior leads are almost always reciprocal to ischemia in the territory underlying aVL. This is not normal and is a tip off that there is posterior ischemia accompanying the ischemia in aVL. This ECG is diagnostic of ischemia.

Ischemia 52

Ischemia Chest Pain Stenosis STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 1, 2020

He has done a lot of great work on cardiac arrest, including as co-author of our study on esmolol in refractory cardiac arrest, and much more with Keith Lurie. The Queen was not able to see this one: Of course we do not know for certain that the inferior findings represent ischemia. It was not.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain STEMI Cardiac Arrest Ischemia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 5, 2023

Common explanations for unusual rhythms such as this one include: i ) Hyperkalemia ( or other severe electrolyte disorder ); ii ) Recent infarction/ischemia; iii ) Sleep apnea; iv ) Severe hypothyroidism; v ) Acute neurologic catastrophe (ie, stroke, bleed, trauma, tumor ); vi ) Some other toxicity.

Bradycardia 52

Bradycardia Cardiac Arrest Arrhythmia Pacemaker 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

LOW VOLTAGE on ECG: We have reviewed many of the causes of low voltage on ECG in previous posts of Dr. Smith's ECG Blog. Figure-2: Causes of Low Voltage on ECG ( Figure reproduced from My Comment at the bottom of the page in the November 12, 2020 post in Dr. Smith's ECG Blog ). What is ELECTRICAL ALTERNANS?

Pericarditis 52

Pericarditis Tachycardia Ultrasound Blood Pressure 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 6, 2019

Followup ECG: No Change Absence of evolution is the best evidence against ischemia as the etiology. I was taught that the tell-tale sign of ischemia vs an electrical abnormality was in the hx, i.e. chest pain for the ischemia and potential syncope for brugada. Ischemia/infarction. Acute febrile illness. Hypothermia.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain STEMI Ischemia Myocardial Infarction 52