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

FEBRUARY 2, 2017

So the real QT is shorter, but the computer does not mention the U-wave, and the U-wave is as important as the T-wave in predicting cardiac dysrhythmias. There is a very prominent U-wave and some of what may appear to be a QT interval is a QU interval. This is an extremely dangerous ECG. The K returned at 1.9 This is extremely low for DKA.

Cardiac Arrest 52

Cardiac Arrest Dysrhythmia Arrhythmia Nursing 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2019

She had home health nurse visits, and a BMP was sent the next day (the day prior to admission, presumably after 120 mEq of KCl replacement -- if she was taking as directed). to greatly decrease risk (although in STEMI, the optimal level is about 4.0-4.5 It would be difficult to get a nurse to give it faster! Is 40 mEq too much?

Cardiac Arrest 40

Cardiac Arrest Tachycardia Nursing Ultrasound 40