Cardiac Arrest, STEMI and Tachycardia

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

Cardiac Arrest Ischemia Tachycardia Defibrillator

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

There was concern that the rhythm might represent ventricular tachycardia, so lidocaine was given and one attempt at cardioversion was performed. 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.

Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac Arrest Bradycardia Tachycardia Chest Pain

Unconscious + STEMI criteria: activate the cath lab?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 21, 2023

ECG met STEMI criteria and was labeled STEMI by computer interpretation. J waves can also be induced by Occlusion MI (5), STEMI mimics including takotsubo and myocarditis complicated by ventricular arrhythmias (6, 7), and subarachnoid hemorrhage with VF (8). Take home : Not all STEs are STEMIs or OMIs. What do you think?

STEMI

STEMI Bradycardia Arrhythmia Cardiac Arrest

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 Elevated troponin does not, however, guide any treatment strategies to minimize myocardial injury.

Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac Arrest COVID-19 Myocardial Infarction Cardiogenic Shock

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. Continuing with assessment of ECG #1 in Figure-2: The rhythm is sinus tachycardia at ~110/minute.

Blog

Blog STEMI Cardiac Arrest Tachycardia

Tachycardia, fever to 105, and ischemic ST Elevation -- a Bridge too Far

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 15, 2019

A prehospital ECG was recorded (not shown and not seen by me) which was worrisome for STEMI. Here was his initial ED ECG: There is sinus tachycardia at a rate of about 140 There is profound ST Elevation across all precordial leads, as well as I and aVL. A near 60 year old male called 911 for increasingly severe fever and SOB.

Tachycardia

Tachycardia STEMI Chest Pain Ischemia

90 year old with acute chest and epigastric pain, and diffuse ST depression with reciprocal STE in aVR: activate the cath lab?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

This has been termed a “STEMI equivalent” and included in STEMI guidelines, suggesting this patient should receive dual anti-platelets, heparin and immediate cath lab activation–or thrombolysis in centres where cath lab is not available. aVR ST segment elevation: acute STEMI or not? aVR ST Segment Elevation: Acute STEMI or Not?

Ischemia

Ischemia STEMI Stenosis Coronary Artery Disease

An elderly woman with acute vomiting, presyncope, and hypotension, and a wide QRS complex

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

There is sinus tachycardia (do not be fooled into thinking this is VT or another wide complex tachycardia!) This pattern is essentially always accompanied by cardiogenic shock and high rates of VT/VF arrest, etc. Code STEMI was activated. Plus recommendations from a 5-member panel on cardiac arrest.

Cardiogenic Shock

Cardiogenic Shock Chest Pain Tachycardia Ischemia

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. This progressed to electrical storm , with incessant PolyMorphic Ventricular Tachycardia ( PMVT ) and recurrent episodes of Ventricular Fibrillation ( VFib ). The below ECG was recorded. He required multiple defibrillations within a period of a few hours.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia Cardiogenic Shock Bradycardia Defibrillator

What are these hyperacute T waves, with STE and T-wave inversion in aVL, and STD in inferior leads?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

See many examples of Pseudo STEMI due to hyperkalemia at these two posts: Acute respiratory distress: Correct interpretation of the initial and serial ECG findings, with aggressive management, might have saved his life. But the rate is ~130/minute — which is a bit fast for sinus tachycardia. No followup EKG was recorded!!

Tachycardia

Tachycardia Document Blog Bradycardia

Severe shock, obtunded, and a diagnostic prehospital ECG. Also: How did this happen?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2019

Is it ventricular tachycardia (VT) due to hyperK or is it a supraventricular rhythm with hyperK? Here are other posts on hyperK, large calcium doses for hyperK, and ventricular tachycardia in hyperK Weakness, prolonged PR interval, wide complex, ventricular tachycardia Very Wide and Very Fast, What is it? How would you treat?

Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac Arrest Tachycardia Nursing Ultrasound

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.

Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac Arrest Chest Pain Embolism Pulmonary

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

STEMI Hospital Blog Defibrillator

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

Chest Pain Pulmonary Embolism STEMI

Cardiologist declines taking patient to the cath lab. Patient dies.

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 11, 2020

Other than tachycardia, Other than slight tachycardia, vitals were within normal limits (including oxygen saturation). The provider contacted cardiology to discuss the case, but cardiology "didn't think it was a STEMI, didn't think he needed emergent cath." The whole paradigm is literally called "STEMI" vs. "NSTEMI."

Chest Pain

Chest Pain STEMI Blog Tachycardia

A man in his 60s with syncope and ST depression. What does the ECG mean?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 25, 2023

ECG is consistent with severe hypokalemia and/or hypomagnesemia causing prolonged QT (QU) at high risk of Torsades (which is polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in the setting of a long QT interval). Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Long QT Syndrome with Continuously Recurrent Polymorphic VT: Management Cardiac Arrest.

Ischemia

Ischemia Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Blog

Another deadly and confusing ECG. Are you still one of the many people who will be fooled by this ECG, or do you recognize it instantly?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 5, 2022

Despite the clinical context, Cardiology was consulted due to concerns for a "STEMI". After initiating treatment for hyperkalemia, repeat ECG showed resolution of Brugada pattern: The ECG shows sinus tachycardia. Steve, what do you think of this ECG in this Cardiac Arrest Patient?" HyperKalemia with Cardiac Arrest.

Chest Pain

Chest Pain Bradycardia Cardiac Arrest STEMI

Hyperthermia and ST Elevation

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 30, 2019

Otherwise vitals after intubation were only notable for tachycardia. An initial EKG was obtained: Computer read: sinus tachycardia, early acute anterior infarct. 2) The STE in V1 and V2 has an R'-wave and downsloping ST segments, very atypical for STEMI. A rectal temperature was obtained which read 107.9 Bicarb 20, Lactate 4.2,

Heart Rhythm

Heart Rhythm Sudden Cardiac Death Arrhythmia STEMI

A young F is hyperthermic, delirious, and dry: Fever-induced Brugada? Diphenhydramine toxicity? Tricyclic?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 5, 2019

There is sinus tachycardia and also a large R-wave in aVR. Drug toxicity , especially diphenhydramine , which has sodium channel blocking effects, and also anticholinergic effects which may result in sinus tachycardia, hyperthermia, delirium, and dry skin. Her temperature was 106 degrees. As part of the workup, she underwent an ECG.

Sudden Cardiac Death

Sudden Cardiac Death Heart Rhythm Article Tachycardia

Cardiovascular Update

Resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation. Should the cath lab be activated?

How will you save this critically ill patient? A fundamental and lifesaving ECG interpretation that everyone must recognize instantly.

Unconscious + STEMI criteria: activate the cath lab?

Extreme shock and cardiac arrest in COVID patient

ECG Blog #434 — WHY Did this Patient Arrest?

Tachycardia, fever to 105, and ischemic ST Elevation -- a Bridge too Far

90 year old with acute chest and epigastric pain, and diffuse ST depression with reciprocal STE in aVR: activate the cath lab?

An elderly woman with acute vomiting, presyncope, and hypotension, and a wide QRS complex

What are treatment options for this rhythm, when all else fails?

What are these hyperacute T waves, with STE and T-wave inversion in aVL, and STD in inferior leads?

Severe shock, obtunded, and a diagnostic prehospital ECG. Also: How did this happen?

A man in his 30s with cardiac arrest and STE on the post-ROSC ECG

Interventionalist at the Receiving Hospital: "No STEMI, no cath. I do not accept the transfer."

What do you suspect from this ECG in this 40-something with SOB and Chest pain?

Cardiologist declines taking patient to the cath lab. Patient dies.

A man in his 60s with syncope and ST depression. What does the ECG mean?

Another deadly and confusing ECG. Are you still one of the many people who will be fooled by this ECG, or do you recognize it instantly?

Hyperthermia and ST Elevation

A young F is hyperthermic, delirious, and dry: Fever-induced Brugada? Diphenhydramine toxicity? Tricyclic?

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