Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 2, 2019

Opinions vary widely on the K level at which a patient must be admitted on a monitor because of the risk of ventricular dysrhythmias. My rationale is that if the K is affecting the ECG, then it is affecting the electrical milieu and can result in serious dysrhythmias. Until some real data is available, my opinion is this: 1.

Sickle Cell Disease 52

Sickle Cell Disease Ischemia Dysrhythmia Chest Pain 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 19, 2016

It was edited by Smith CASE : A 52-year-old male with a past medical history of hypertension and COPD summoned EMS with complaints of chest pain, weakness and nausea. Clinical Course The paramedic activated a “Code STEMI” alert and transported the patient nearly 50 miles to the closest tertiary medical center. What do you see?

Ischemia 40

Ischemia Cardiogenic Shock Aortic Stenosis 40

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

STEMI Myocardial Infarction Cardiac Arrest Arrhythmia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 10, 2022

A 30-something woman with chest pain and h/o pulmonary hypertension due to chronic pulmonary emboli A 30-something with 8 hours of chest pain and an elevated troponin Syncope, Shock, AV block, Large RV, "Anterior" ST Elevation. He had multiple cardiac arrests with ROSC regained each time.

Cardiac Arrest 52

Cardiac Arrest Chest Pain Embolism Pulmonary 52