ECG Cases 48 – ECG Interpretation in Cardiac Arrest
ECG Cases
FEBRUARY 13, 2024
The post ECG Cases 48 – ECG Interpretation in Cardiac Arrest appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
A man in his 50s with unwitnessed VF arrest, defibrillated to ROSC, and no STEMI criteria on post ROSC ECG. Should he get emergent angiogram?
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
JULY 9, 2024
Written by Pendell Meyers A man in his 50s was found by his family in cardiac arrest of unknown duration. Despite anticipation by many that the initial post-resuscitation ECG will show an obvious acute infarction — this expected "STEMI picture" is often not seen.
Defibrillator 
117
117 
Guidelines would (erroneously) say that this patient who was defibrillated and resuscitated does not need emergent angiography
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
JUNE 27, 2024
A patient had a cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation and was successfully defibrillated. COACT: The COACT trial was fatally flawed, and because of it, many cardiologists are convinced that if there are no STEMI criteria, the patient does not need to go to the cath lab. These studies did not address OMI ECG findings!!!
Defibrillator 114
114 
Resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation. Should the cath lab be activated?
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
JULY 25, 2024
But cardiac arrest is a period of near zero flow in the coronary arteries and causes SEVERE ischemia. After cardiac arrest, I ALWAYS wait 15 minutes after an ECG like this and record another. See these related cases: Cardiac arrest, defibrillated, diffuse ST depression and ST Elevation in aVR.
Cardiac Arrest 125
125 
Cardiac arrest, LBBB with STEMI on the ECG, but no Acute Coronary Syndrome!
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
This 80 year old with a history of CABG had a cardiac arrest. This is as clear a STEMI as you can get. Now, it is true that shortly after a non-ACS cardiac arrest, there can be transient diffuse ST depression, but not ST elevation in a coronary distribution, and there should not be a wall motion abnormality.
Middle Aged Woman with Asystolic Cardiac Arrest, Resuscitated: Cath Lab?
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
OCTOBER 20, 2013
Note that they finally have laid to rest the new or presumably new LBBB as a criteria for STEMI. Note that they finally have laid to rest the new or presumably new LBBB as a criteria for STEMI. Also note that they allow ST depression c/w posterior MI to be a STEMI equivalent. What is the utility of a head CT in cardiac arrest?
How will you save this critically ill patient? A fundamental and lifesaving ECG interpretation that everyone must recognize instantly.
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
FEBRUARY 22, 2024
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. Peaked T waves: Hyperacute (STEMI) vs. Early Repolarizaton vs. Hyperkalemia What will you do for this altered and bradycardic patient?
Cardiac Arrest 141
141 
Machine-learning based risk prediction of in-hospital outcomes following STEMI: the STEMI-ML score
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
OCTOBER 9, 2024
The included variables were age, pre-hospital cardiac arrest, robust collateral recruitment (Rentrop grade 2 or 3), family history of coronary disease, initial systolic blood pressure, initial heart rate, hypercholesterolemia, culprit vessel, smoking status and TIMI flow pre-PCI. for in-hospital mortality, 0.78 for LVEF < 40%.
STEMI 52
52 
Cardiac arrest, defibrillated, diffuse ST depression and ST Elevation in aVR. Why?
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
APRIL 24, 2015
ST depression is common BOTH after resuscitation from cardiac arrest and during atrial fib with RVR. Again, it is common to have an ECG that shows apparent subendocardial ischemia after resuscitation from cardiac arrest, after defibrillation, and after cardioversion. The patient was cardioverted. This was done.
ECG Blog #415 — The Cath showed NO Occlusion!
Ken Grauer, MD
FEBRUARY 3, 2024
Shortly after arrival in the ED ( E mergency D epartment ) — she suffered a cardiac arrest. BUT — Cardiac catheterization done a little later did not reveal any significant stenosis. Figure-1: The initial ECG in today's case — obtained after successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest. ( No CP ( C hest P ain ).
Blog 163
163 
When ACS care is very delayed, "STEMI metrics" can be perfect. And how specific is Queen of Hearts?
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
MARCH 23, 2025
Here is the PMcardio Queen of Hearts interpretation of the ECG: STEMI equivalent detected. Inferior and posterior OMI without STEMI criteria. About an hour later another ECG was obtained: Barely meets STEMI criteria in inferior leads, but obvious inferior and posterior OMI. The cath lab was now activated for STEMI.
52 
Chest Pain – MI Registry: What is the Risk of Ventricular Arrythmia After Primary PCI For STEMI?
American College of Cardiology
NOVEMBER 5, 2024
A small proportion of patients with STEMI treated via primary PCI experienced late ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF), occurring one or more days following the procedure, but late VT or VF with cardiac arrest occurred rarely, especially among patients with uncomplicated STEMI, according to a study published in JAMA Network (..)
STEMI 44
44 
Brachial artery approach for managing retroperitoneal bleed following coronary intervention for STEMI
The British Journal of Cardiology
NOVEMBER 29, 2023
Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) remains the gold-standard treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We present the case of a man in his 50s, admitted with cardiac arrest secondary to inferolateral STEMI.
STEMI 52
52 
50 yo with V fib has ROSC, then these 2 successive ECGs: what is the infarct artery?
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
SEPTEMBER 29, 2024
This certainly looks like an anterior STEMI (proximal LAD occlusion), with STE and hyperacute T-waves (HATW) in V2-V6 and I and aVL. How do you explain the anterior STEMI(+)OMI immediately after ROSC evolving into posterior OMI 30 minutes later? This caused a type 2 anterior STEMI.
Cardiac Arrest 110
110 
Cardiac arrest: even after the angiogram, the diagnosis is not always clear
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
OCTOBER 28, 2013
The last section is a detailed discussion of the research on aVR in both STEMI and NonSTEMI. The additional ST Elevation in V1 is not usually seen with diffuse subendocardial ischemia, and suggests that something else, like STEMI from LAD occlusion, could be present. Here is an article I wrote: Updates on the ECG in ACS. see below).
Missed myocardial infarction with subsequent cardiac arrest
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
OCTOBER 24, 2013
Appreciation of these subtle ECG findings could have helped to avoid a cardiac arrest and its resulting permanent disability 3. Ischemia on the ECG can be very subtle and is easily missed. Accurate interpretation requires a lot of skill, practice, and experience.
How terrible can it be to fail to recognize OMI? To whom is OMI Obvious or Not Obvious?
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
OCTOBER 8, 2024
Subtle as a STEMI." (i.e., About 45 minutes after the second EKG, the patient was found in cardiac arrest. Later the next day, she went into cardiac arrest again. By the time I saw the repeat EKG, the patient was already in cardiac arrest. None of the 20 ever evolved to STEMI criteria.
Cardiac Arrest 123
123 
ECG Blog #434 — WHY Did this Patient Arrest?
Ken Grauer, MD
JUNE 14, 2024
The ECG in Figure-1 — was obtained from a middle-aged man who presented to the ED ( E mergency D epartment ) in cardiac arrest. Prompt cath is therefore advised if the post-ROSC shows an acute STEMI. To Emphasize: The phenomenon of T-QRS-D is not needed in today's case to recognize the acute STEMI.
Blog 155
155 
A man in his 50s with acute chest pain who is lucky to still be alive.
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
98 
STEMI with Life-Threatening Hypokalemia and Incessant Torsades de Pointes
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
APRIL 8, 2016
Here is his ED ECG: There is obvious infero-posterior STEMI. What are you worried about in addition to his STEMI? Comments: STEMI with hypokalemia, especially with a long QT, puts the patient at very high risk of Torsades or Ventricular fibrillation (see many references, with abstracts, below). There is atrial fibrillation.
STEMI 52
52 
A man in his 30s with cardiac arrest and STE on the post-ROSC ECG
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
OCTOBER 10, 2022
He had multiple cardiac arrests with ROSC regained each time. Then there is loss of pulses with continued narrow complex on the monitor ("PEA arrest") Learning Points: Sudden witnessed Cardiac Arrest due to ACS is almost always due to dysrhythmia. This patient arrested shortly after hospital arrival.
Extreme shock and cardiac arrest in COVID patient
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
NOVEMBER 12, 2020
In a series of 18 patients with COVID and ST elevation, 8 were diagnosed with STEMI, 6 of whom had an angiogram and it showed obstructive coronary disease. 12 All STEMI patients had very high cTn typical of STEMI (cTnT > 1.0
A Patient with Cocaine Chest Pain and Prehospital Computer interpretation of STEMI
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
JANUARY 25, 2017
911 was called and the medics recorded this ECG (unfortunately, leads V4-V6 are missing) Due to marked ST Elevation, the computer read was STEMI What do you think? 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.
Chest Pain 52
52 
Cardiac Arrest, acute ST elevation and depression superimposed on LVH, but NOT due to ACS
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
OCTOBER 4, 2010
Thus, this patient had increased ST elevation (current of injury) superimposed on the ST elevation of LVH and simulating STEMI. The stress of the triathlon cause demand ischemia and ventricular fibrillation. He awoke and did well.
A 40-something presented after attempted prehospital resuscitation with persistent Ventricular Fibrillation
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.
Interventionalist at the Receiving Hospital: "No STEMI, no cath. I do not accept the transfer."
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
SEPTEMBER 21, 2020
Are Some Cardiologists Really Limited by Strict Adherence to STEMI millimeter criteria? I was texted these ECGs by a recent residency graduate after they had all been recorded, along with the following clinical information: A 50-something with no cardiac history, but with h/o Diabetes, was doing physical work when he collapsed.
STEMI 52
52 
Saddleback ST Elevation. Is it STEMI? Is it type II Brugada?
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
NOVEMBER 28, 2018
Saddleback ST Elevation is almost never STEMI 2. An inverted P-wave in lead V2 implies lead misplacement too high Saddleback in STEMI: Here are the only 2 ECGs with V2 "saddleback" that I have ever seen which really represented an LAD Occlusion: Anatomy of a Missed LAD Occlusion (classified as a NonSTEMI) A Very Subtle LAD Occlusion.T-wave
STEMI 52
52 
Chest Pain and Right Bundle Branch Block
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
NOVEMBER 19, 2014
Here are three more dramatic cases that illustrate RBBB + LAFB Case 1 of cardiac arrest with unrecognized STEMI, died. Furthermore, among 35 patients with acute left main coronary artery occlusion, 9 presented with RBBB (mostly with LAH) on the admission ECG.
Chest Pain 52
52 
Right Bundle Branch Block with Acute ST Elevation Seen Best on Prehospital ECG
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
FEBRUARY 25, 2009
RBBB in acute STEMI has a very high mortality. Were it not for this prehospital ECG and the cardiac arrest, the diagnosis may have been significantly delayed. Had this happened, the artery may have re-occluded prior to angiography, with resultant recurrent cardiac arrest and/or shock and death.
75 year old dialysis patient with nausea, vomiting and lightheadedness
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). They were less likely to have STEMI on ECG, and more likely to be initially diagnosed as non-ACS.
Chest Pain 98
98 
Variation in Likelihood of Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST‐Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction Among US Hospitals
Journal of the American Heart Association
FEBRUARY 19, 2025
BackgroundThere may be variability in willingness to perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in higherrisk patients who present with STsegmentelevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). There were 178 984 patients from 582 US hospitals presenting with STEMI who were included. versus 7.4%,P<0.001), versus 5.1%,P<0.001)
Two patients with chest pain and RBBB: do either have occlusion MI?
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
OCTOBER 17, 2024
Past medical history included RBBB without other cardiac history, but old ECG was not available. The prehospital and ED computer interpretation was inferior STEMI: There’s normal sinus rhythm, first degree AV block and RBBB, normal axis and normal voltages. Vitals were normal except for oxygen saturation of 94%. Vitals were normal.
Chest Pain 74
74 
A Tragic Case, related to the last post
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
JUNE 15, 2013
The cath lab was activated for STEMI. Unfortunately, the patient had a cardiac arrest on arrival to the cath lab, before return of the potassium. Hyperkalemia alone can cause inferior-posterior pseudo-STEMI: Notice that in both cases, the ST elevation is downsloping and the T-wave is inverted. The potassium returned at 8.4
Chest Pain 52
52 
A man in his 60s with syncope and ST depression. What does the ECG mean?
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
OCTOBER 25, 2023
Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Long QT Syndrome with Continuously Recurrent Polymorphic VT: Management Cardiac Arrest. A New Seizure in a Healthy 20-something More cases of long QT not measured correctly by computer (these are all fascinating ECGs/cases): Bupropion Overdose Followed by Cardiac Arrest and, Later, ST Elevation.
Chest Pain 124
124 
Angiography-Derived Index of Microcirculatory Resistance to Define the Risk of Early Discharge in STEMI
Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions
FEBRUARY 20, 2024
NH-IMRangiowas calculated based on standard coronary angiographic views with 3-dimensional-modeling and computational analysis of the coronary flow.RESULTS:Overall, ECC (a composite of cardiovascular death, cardiogenic shock, acute heart failure, life-threatening arrhythmias, resuscitated cardiac arrest, left ventricular thrombus, post-ST-segment–elevation (..)
Another Inadequate Paper Published on Triage ECGs, whose Conclusions Need Scrutiny.
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
OCTOBER 9, 2018
link] In this paper, in a department in which they state they have only 50 STEMI per year, they looked at only 8 days worth of triage ECGs for a total of 538. They did not find one STEMI on their triage ECGs (no surprise! We at HCMC have 30 walk-in STEMIs per year; the rest come by ambulance. Am J Emerg Med 36(10):1771-1774.
Chest Pain 52
52 
Chest pain relieved by Maalox and viscous lidocaine
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
DECEMBER 23, 2014
The patient was diagnosed with esophageal reflux and was being discharged by the nurse when he had a cardiac arrest. Anterolateral STEMI. The formula results in 23.43, just above the 23.4 He was defibrillated. Here is his post resuscitation ECG: Now the diagnosis is obvious.
Chest Pain 52
52 
What do you suspect from this ECG in this 40-something with SOB and Chest pain?
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
JANUARY 8, 2024
She was diagnosed with a Non-STEMI and kept overnight for a next day angiogram. Medics recorded the above ECG and called a STEMI alert. The patient went into arrest pre-hospital. Her symptoms at the time ECG #1 was obtained were CP and SOB — yet interpretation of this initial tracing prompted a STEMI alert.
Chest Pain 71
71 
A man in his 70s with chest pain
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
NOVEMBER 23, 2022
About an hour later, he was then found on the floor in cardiac arrest in the ED. Sooner identification likely leads to better outcomes, and in this case may have allowed prevention of cardiac arrest and better long-term outcome. His initial troponin T was 15 ng/L (only two hours since pain onset).
Chest Pain 52
52 
What are treatment options for this rhythm, when all else fails?
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
JULY 21, 2024
The ECG shows obvious STEMI(+) OMI due to probable proximal LAD occlusion. The patient in today’s case is a previously healthy 40-something male who contacted EMS due to acute onset crushing chest pain. The pain was 10/10 in intensity radiating bilaterally to the shoulders and also to the left arm and neck. The below ECG was recorded.
Arrhythmia 131
131 
See what happens when hyperacute T-waves are missed
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
There is a very small amount of STE in some of the anterior, lateral, and inferior leads which do NOT meet STEMI criteria. The case was reviewed by all parties, and it was stated correctly that the ECG does not meet the STEMI criteria. The STEMI vs. NSTEMI paradigm is not the best way to decide who needs emergent reperfusion therapy.
Chest Pain 52
52 
Patient with severe DKA, look at the ECG
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
FEBRUARY 2, 2017
Discussion See this post: STEMI with Life-Threatening Hypokalemia and Incessant Torsades de Pointes I could find very little literature on the treatment of severe life-threatening hypokalemia. If cardiac arrest from hypokalemia is imminent (i.e., When the ECG shows the effects of hypokalemia, it is particularly dangerous.
Cardiologist declines taking patient to the cath lab. Patient dies.
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
OCTOBER 11, 2020
The provider contacted cardiology to discuss the case, but cardiology "didn't think it was a STEMI, didn't think he needed emergent cath." About two hours after admission, he suffered a cardiac arrest (whether it was VF/VT or PEA is not available) and expired. The whole paradigm is literally called "STEMI" vs. "NSTEMI."
Chest Pain 52
52 
Syncope, Shock, AV block, Large RV, "Anterior" ST Elevation.
Dr. Smith's ECG Blog
DECEMBER 15, 2015
It was a PEA or bradyasystolic arrest , not a shockable rhythm. Although most cardiac arrest from MI is due to ventricular fibrillation, some is due to high grade AV block, and so this could indeed be due to large acute STEMI. LV anterior STEMI does not give maximal ST elevation in V1. Is this an anterior (LV) MI?
STEMI 40
40 
Let's personalize your content