Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 2, 2014

He had an immediate ED ECG: There is artifact, but the findings appear to be largely gone now The diagnosis is acute MI, but not STEMI. There is about 1 mm of STE in aVR I con sidered but rejected subendocardial ischemia. Is it subendocardial ischemia, or inferior MI? Outcome : Was it RCA or LCX with inferior MI?

STEMI 52

STEMI Ischemia Chest Pain Angioplasty 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 17, 2014

See my formula for differentiating anterior LV aneurysm (that is to say, persistent ST elevation after old MI) from acute anterior STEMI. Both support acute anterior STEMI. After the hyperacute phase, the ST segments rise and only fall with either 1) reperfusion or 2) prolonged ischemia leading to irreversible infarction.

Aneurysm 52

Aneurysm STEMI Chest Pain Risk Factors 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 4, 2023

Acute Q waves are a marker of severe ischemia and a predictor for delayed reperfusion. This patient could have very easily been overlooked, both because the ECG was STEMI negative and because the Q waves were attributed to an “old infarct”. Fortunately, Dr. Cho was not looking for STEMI ECG criteria but for an acute coronary occlusion.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain STEMI Ischemia Document 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 26, 2018

The axiom of "type 1 (ACS, plaque rupture) STEMIs are not tachycardic unless they are in cardiogenic shock" is not applicable outside of sinus rhythm. In some cases the ischemia can be seen "through" the flutter waves, whereas in other cases the arrhythmia must be terminated before the ischemia can be clearly distinguished.

Ischemia 52

Ischemia Atrial Flutter Arrhythmia Tachycardia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 2, 2024

This was a machine read STEMI positive OMI. In this patient's case, the RV ischemia manifested as dramatic anterior hyperacute T waves. This degree of STE is a bit atypical for LAD ischemia. the investigators reviewed outcomes in 118 patients presenting with NSTEMI. His ECG is shown below.

STEMI 119

STEMI Ischemia Blog Chest Pain 119

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 18, 2023

1-3] But these studies were very short duration and used cardiology interpretation of ECGs or emergent angiography rather than patient outcomes. 4,5] We have now formally studied this question: Emergency department Code STEMI patients with initial electrocardiogram labeled ‘normal’ by computer interpretation: a 7-year retrospective review.[6]

Chest Pain 119

Chest Pain STEMI Electrocardiogram Ischemia 119

ECG Guru

JULY 24, 2023

ST depression in the setting of acute transmural ischemia (STEMI) is almost ALWAYS due to reciprocal change. Outcome: The patient went to the cath lab, but we have no further followup. The elevation is higher in Lead III than in Lead II, a reliable sign of RCA occlusion. Reciprocal depression in Leads aVL and I.

Chest Pain 98

Chest Pain STEMI Ischemia Outcomes 98

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

OCTOBER 26, 2011

Echo on the day after admission showed EF of 30-35% and antero-apical wall akinesis with an LV thrombus [these frequently form in complete or near complete (no early reperfusion) anterior STEMI because of akinesis/stasis] 2 more days later, this was recorded: ST elevation is still present. The LAD has reperfused early. This was recorded 2.5

STEMI 52

STEMI Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction Angioplasty 52

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? The patient stabilized and had a good outcome. If there is polymorphic VT with a long QT on the baseline ECG, then generally we call that Torsades, but Non-Torsades Polymorphic VT can result from ischemia alone.

STEMI 52

STEMI Myocardial Infarction Cardiac Arrest Arrhythmia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

Post Cath ECG: Obviously completing MI with LVA morphology, and STE that meets STEMI criteria (but pt is still diagnosed as "NSTEMI"). Smith : the profound persistent STE suggests either persistent occlusion or " no reflow " with persistent downstream ischemia. Long term outcome unknown but obviously bleak.

STEMI 78

STEMI Myocardial Infarction Ischemia Academic 78

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 27, 2021

If this STD were due to LVH or to subendocardial ischemia, rather than posterior OMI, it would be maximal in V5 and V6. If I saw this without the STD V2-V4, I would not make anything of it, and even with that precordial STD, I am not convinced that it is a manifestation of ischemia. Because we are hypnotized the STEMI paradigm. "If

Myocardial Infarction 40

Myocardial Infarction Ischemia STEMI Pulmonary 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 13, 2024

V1 sits over both the RV and the septum, so transmural ischemia of either one with give OMI pattern in V1 and reciprocal STD in V5 and V6. See this post: Septal STEMI with ST elevation in V1 and V4R, and reciprocal ST depression in V5, V6. However, the pattern is also seen in inferior OMI with right ventricular OMI. (V1

Chest Pain 92

Chest Pain Document STEMI Defibrillator 92

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 26, 2020

We have also shown several cases in which atrial flutter hides true, active ischemia. Is this inferor STEMI? Atrial Flutter with Inferior STEMI? The EM provider asked if the cardiologist thought it was a "STEMI." Long-term outcome is unknown. Christmas Eve Special Gift!! Tachycardia and ST Elevation.

Atrial Flutter 52

Atrial Flutter Ischemia STEMI Tachycardia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

This suggests further severe ischemia. STEMI MINOCA versus NSTEMI MINOCA STEMI occurs in the presence of transmural ischaemia due to transient or persistent complete occlusion of the infarct-related coronary artery. This has resulted in an under-representation of STEMI MINOCA patients in the literature. From Gue at al.

Coronary Angiogram 109

Coronary Angiogram Plaque Thrombosis STEMI 109

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 3, 2017

Computer read: "Non-specific ST abnormality, consider anterior subendocardial ischemia" There are very poor R-waves in V1-V4 suggesting old anterior MI. Firstly, subendocardial ischemia does not localize on 12-Lead ECG. But the real question at hand is: Are these precordial ST-depressions a result of subendocardial ischemia?

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction STEMI Ischemia 52

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. His response: “subendocardial ischemia. Anything more on history? POCUS will be helpful.”

Ischemia 52

Ischemia STEMI Stenosis Chest Pain 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 3, 2022

Step 1 to missing posterior MI is relying on the STEMI criteria. A prospective validation of STEMI criteria based on the first ED ECG found it was only 21% sensitive for Occlusion MI, and disproportionately missed inferoposterior OMI.[1] But it is still STEMI negative. A 15 lead ECG was done (below). In a study last year, 14.4%

STEMI 52

STEMI Myocardial Infarction Chest Pain Ischemia 52

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. Circulation 2007 2. Khan et al.

Chest Pain 98

Chest Pain STEMI Myocardial Infarction Blog 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 6, 2019

This is technically a STEMI, with 1.5 However, I think many practitioners might not see this as a clear STEMI, and would instead call this "borderline." They collected several repeat ECGs at the outside hospital before transport: None of these three ECGs meet STEMI criteria. This ECG was recorded on arrival: What do you think?

STEMI 52

STEMI Chest Pain Ischemia Myocardial Infarction 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 6, 2024

In any case, the ECG is diagnostic of severe ischemia and probably OMI. So this could be myocarditis but in my opinion needs an angiogram before making that diagnosis. == Dr. Nossen Comment/Interpretation: Evaluation of ischemia on an ECG can be very challenging. Concordant STE of 1 mm in just one lead or 2a.

Chest Pain 104

Chest Pain Ischemia Pericarditis Tachycardia 104

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 28, 2013

STE limited to aVR is due to diffuse subendocardial ischemia, but what of STE in both aVR and V1? The last section is a detailed discussion of the research on aVR in both STEMI and NonSTEMI. Alternatively, it is a variant of diffuse subendocardial ischemia, with STE in V1 reciprocal to ST depression in inferior and lateral leads.

Cardiac Arrest 52

Cardiac Arrest Ischemia Defibrillator Electrocardiogram 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 20, 2013

This ECG is diagnostic of diffuse subendocardial ischemia. 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. We studied this and published the abstract below in 2010. Kurkciyan et al.

Cardiac Arrest 52

Cardiac Arrest STEMI Hemorrhage Hospital 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 9, 2024

The receiving emergency physician consulted with interventional cardiology who stated there was no STEMI. Opioids associate with worse outcomes in myocardial infarction , probably because they eliminate the pain signal that informs the clinician of the urgency of revascularization. Is there STEMI? Do not treat AIVR. Moffat, M.

Chest Pain 107

Chest Pain Arrhythmia Myocardial Infarction STEMI 107

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 14, 2023

Non-randomized trials show better outcomes (neurologic survival) using this device; see this article in Resuscitation: Head and Thorax Elevation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation using circulatory adjuncts is associated with improved survival. Finally, head-up CPR (which was not used here), makes for better resuscitation.

Cardiac Arrest 98

Cardiac Arrest Chest Pain Defibrillator Atrial Flutter 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 9, 2019

Post by Smith and Meyers Sam Ghali ( [link] ) just asked me (Smith): "Steve, do left main coronary artery *occlusions* (actual ones with transmural ischemia) have ST Depression or ST Elevation in aVR?" All are, however, clearly massive STEMI. This is her ECG: An obvious STEMI, but which artery?

Myocardial Infarction 52

Myocardial Infarction Ischemia STEMI Cardiogenic Shock 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 30, 2014

Repeat ECG showing no STEMI, only non-specific ST-segment and T-wave abnormalities, unchanged from prior" Transferred to surgery for exploration but diagnostic studies were too indeterminate to be certain of intra-abdominal pathology. Trop T now very high, well into the range one sees with a STEMI; very unusual in type II MI.

Outcomes 52

Outcomes Cardiogenic Shock STEMI Chest Pain 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

The baseline ECG is basically normal with no ischemia. You can see in the lead-specific analysis that she "sees" the STD in V5, V5, and II, with STE in aVR as signs of "Not OMI", because subendocardial ischemia pattern is not the same as OMI. In my opinion, I think it looks more like subendocardial ischemia.

Chest Pain 83

Chest Pain Cardiogenic Shock Ischemia Myocardial Infarction 83

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 15, 2013

The ECG in the chart was read as "no obvious ST changes," (even though no previous ECG was available) and the formal read by the emergency physicians was: "ST deviation and moderated T-wave abnormality, consider lateral ischemia." New ST elevation diagnostic of STEMI [equation value = 25.3 Computerized QTc = 417. Gottlieb SO, et al.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Thrombosis Myocardial Infarction STEMI 52

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. Anterolateral STEMI. He underwent PCI and had a good outcome. Ischemia comes and goes. mm of STE at 60 ms after the J-point in lead V3, 400 ms QTc, and 6 mm of R-wave amplitude in V4.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Ischemia STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 12, 2016

Just as hyperacute T-waves can be reciprocal to T-wave inversion ( last case ),T-wave inversion can be reciprocal to STEMI of opposite wall! Answer : There is very abnormal T-wave inversion in aVL which is typical of subtle transmural/subepicardial (due to occlusion) ischemia to the inferior wall. This case was sent by Arthur Lee.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Ischemia STEMI Stents 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 9, 2013

Here is the prehospital ECG, with pain:  Hyperacute anterolateral STEMI  The medics had activated the cath lab and the patient went for angiogram and had a 95% stenotic LAD with TIMI-3 flow. For those who depend on echocardiogram to confirm the ECG findings of ischemia, this should be sobering. Type B waves are deeper and symmetric.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction Ischemia Angina 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

Jason asked me if I thought it is due to occlusion (without either of us knowing the outcome), and this was my answer: This is a posterolateral MI. Down-up T-waves in inferior leads are almost always reciprocal to ischemia in the territory underlying aVL. Therefore it is not a STEMI. Some are STEMI-equivalents.

Ischemia 40

Ischemia Chest Pain STEMI Stenosis 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 22, 2023

The patient with no prior cardiac history presented in the middle of the night with acute chest pain, and had this ECG recorded during active pain: I did not see any ischemia on this electrocardiogram. This is a case I had quite a while back. There is a normal amount of ST elevation in the precordial leads.

Chest Pain 116

Chest Pain Bradycardia Blog Electrocardiogram 116

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 16, 2015

It may be difficult to read STEMI in the setting of RBBB. There is, however, a long QT also, with abnormal T-waves, but this is not STEMI. This ECG was recorded prehospital, and the computer read STEMI, so the medics activated the cath lab: What do you think? The ECG is consistent with high lateral STEMI. Called 911.

STEMI 40

STEMI Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Stents 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 14, 2024

Outcome of case 2? Another missed OMI by the False STEMI-NonSTEMI Dichotomy Don't miss them!!! In addition — there is transmural ischemia of the septum , most often resulting from occlusion proximal to the 1st septal perforator branch of the LAD. Admitted for NSTEMI. Cath days later showed complete occlusion of the LAD, stented.

AFIB 105

AFIB Stents Stent Chest Pain 105

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

There is normal R-wave progression in the precordial leads with no evidence of ischemia. Troponin T peaked at 2074 ng/L (very high, typical of OMI/STEMI). Here the image quality is enhanced using the PM Cardio app. What do you think? The presenting ECG shows SR with narrow QRS complexes. The LV EF was 57% at formal echo.

Pulmonary 116

Pulmonary Tricuspid Chest Pain Cardiogenic Shock 116