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 11, 2024

Below is the first ECG recorded by paramedics after 2 hours of chest pain, interpreted by the machine as “possible inferior ischemia”. While STEMI negative, the ECG is diagnostic of proximal LAD occlusion. Transient STEMI” are often managed like non-STEMI with delayed angiography, which is very risky. What do you think?

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Chest Pain STEMI Bradycardia Article 74

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 15, 2019

Over the next few hours, four other general cardiologists "signed off on the initial ECG without recognizing STEMI." They found 100% acute mid-LAD Occlusion MI, stented with excellent angiographic result. Learning Points: STEMI criteria misses 25-40% of OMI, like this case for example. mm of the "required" 1.0

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STEMI Chest Pain Risk Factors Anatomy 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 5, 2024

He interprets here: "This EKG is diagnostic of right bundle branch block and transmural ischemia of the anterior wall, most likely from an occlusion of the proximal LAD. There was a 100% proximal LAD occlusion that was opened and stented. It was recorded at 0530: What do you think? The young ED tech immediately suspected LAD OMI.

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EKG Technician Chest Pain Blog STEMI 114

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 22, 2024

The fact that R waves 2 through 6 are junctional does make ischemia more difficult to interpret -- but not impossible. Back to the assessment of ischemia: Returning to the ECG, the leads that catch my eye first are -- I, II, V4, V5, V6. For national registry purposes, this will be incorrectly classified as a STEMI.) < 0.049).

Chest Pain 111

Chest Pain STEMI Bradycardia Ischemia 111

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 22, 2023

Important point: when there is diffuse subendocardial ischemia but no OMI, a wall motion abnormality will not necessarily be present. They agreed ischemia was likely in the setting of demand given DKA and infection. That this is all demand ischemia is unlikely. Lung exam showed diffuse B lines bilaterally. Aslanger's pattern.

Chest Pain 102

Chest Pain Ischemia Echocardiogram Myocardial Infarction 102

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

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

A man in his 70s with past medical history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, CAD s/p left circumflex stent 2 years prior presented to the ED with worsening intermittent exertional chest pain relieved by rest. The baseline ECG is basically normal with no ischemia. In my opinion, I think it looks more like subendocardial ischemia.

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Chest Pain Cardiogenic Shock Ischemia Myocardial Infarction 82

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 15, 2024

A prehospital “STEMI” activation was called on a 75 year old male ( Patient 1 ) with a history of hyperlipidemia and LAD and Cx OMI with stent placement. Whether these EKGs show myocarditis, a normal variant, or something else, they are overall not typical of transmural ischemia of the anterior or high lateral walls.

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Chest Pain STEMI Echocardiogram Stent 106

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 13, 2020

Here is the EMS ECG: Obviously massive diffuse subendocardial ischemia, with profound STD and STE in aVR Of course this pattern is most often seen from etoliogies other than ACS. The ECG only tells you there is ischemia, not the etiology of it. Nevertheless, the clinical situation made other etiologies unlikely.

Echocardiogram 52

Echocardiogram Ischemia Chest Pain Blog 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

I would expect TIMI-3 flow (normal flow, no persistent ischemia) with a culprit in the RCA (or possibly Circumflex). I would expect that a stent would be placed. The angiogram showed an open artery with 95% stenosis and thrombosis and it was stented. What would I expect the angiogram to show? Jesse McLaren et al.

Chest Pain 83

Chest Pain STEMI Stent Stents 83

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 29, 2015

would require the ST/S ratio to be 25% for diagnosis of STEMI in LVH. The physician was concerned about STEMI, but also worried that she was overreacting, with the potential that LVH was producing a "STEMI-mimic." Can you diagnose an ACO (STEMI) when you also have LVH? The criteria of Armstrong et al. References 1.

STEMI 52

STEMI Myocardial Infarction Chest Pain Aneurysm 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 85

Chest Pain Ischemia Pericarditis Tachycardia 85

Ken Grauer, MD

AUGUST 26, 2023

These tall T waves are associated with flattening ( straightening ) of the ST segment in the inferior leads — with slight S T elevation in leads V2-thru-V6 ( albeit not enough to qualify as a "STEMI" — Akbar et al, StatPearls, 2023 ). ECG Blog #185 — Reviews the P s, Q s, 3 R Approach to Rhythm Interpretation.

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Blog Chest Pain STEMI Ischemia 145

EMS 12-Lead

AUGUST 14, 2022

One stent was deployed with restorative TIMI-0 flow. link] deWinter first reported his unique characteristics of LAD occlusion in 2008, and since the respective ECG changes do not fit the conventional STEMI paradigm (as he even stated – “instead of signature ST-segment elevation” ….) it has been subsequently deemed a STEMI-equivalent.

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STEMI Sudden Cardiac Death Thrombosis Thrombolysis 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 24, 2018

This is all but diagnostic of STEMI, probably due to wraparound LAD The cath lab was activated. It was stented. This was clearly severe subepicardial ischemia causing ST Elevation, but it was not of a long enough duration to result in measurable infarct. Values: STE60V3 = 2.0, QRS V2 = 10, RAV4 = 15.5, There was good flow.

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STEMI Angina Myocardial Infarction Plaque 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 11, 2021

The patient was brought to the ED as a possible Code STEMI and was seen directly by cardiology. Similarly, STEMI guidelines call for urgent angiography for refractory ischemia or electrical/hemodynamic instability, regardless of ECG findings. So the RCA was stented. Vitals were HR 58 BP 167/70 R20 sat 96%.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Ischemia Cardiogenic Shock 52

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 21, 2022

There is appreciable STE aVR with near-global STD that appropriately maximizes in Leads II and V5, and thus suggesting a circumstance of generic, diffusely populated, circumferential subendocardial ischemia versus occlusive coronary thrombus. [1] STEMI was activated and the patient went to Cath on arrival.

Ischemia 52

Ischemia Myocardial Infarction Blog Coronary Angiogram 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 6, 2010

This is all suggestive of posterior STEMI, but not definitely diagnostic. mm in only one posterior lead is highly sensitive and specific for posterior STEMI). Two stents were placed. ST depression in V1-V4, isolated, may be either posterior STEMI or NSTEMI. The ECG normalized overnight. Maximum troponin was 2.1

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STEMI Chest Pain Ultrasound Blood Pressure 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 1, 2013

Precordial ST depression may be subendocardial ischemia or posterior STEMI. If you thought it might be a posterior STEMI, then you might have ordered a posterior ECG [change leads V4-V6 around to the back (V7-V9)]. I have warned in the past that one must think of other etiologies of ischemia when there is tachycardia.

STEMI 52

STEMI Ischemia Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction 52

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

JULY 14, 2024

The cath lab was activated, and then not cancelled, and the angiogram showed 99% TIMI 2 flow proximal LAD culprit lesion, stented in less than 90 minutes of arrival. Cath days later showed complete occlusion of the LAD, stented. Another missed OMI by the False STEMI-NonSTEMI Dichotomy Don't miss them!!! Normal vitals.

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AFIB Stents Stent Chest Pain 71

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 8, 2023

Code STEMI was activated by the ED physician based on the diagnostic ECG for LAD OMI in ventricular paced rhythm. This was several months after the 2022 ACC Guidelines adding modified Sgarbossa criteria as a STEMI equivalent in ventricular paced rhythm). LAFB, atrial flutter, anterolateral STEMI(+) OMI. Limkakeng AT.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Myocardial Infarction STEMI Pacemaker 52

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. An open 90% LAD was stented.

STEMI 52

STEMI Myocardial Infarction Chest Pain Angioplasty 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

Down-up T-waves in inferior leads are almost always reciprocal to ischemia in the territory underlying aVL. This is not normal and is a tip off that there is posterior ischemia accompanying the ischemia in aVL. It was opened and stented. Therefore it is not a STEMI. Some are STEMI-equivalents. RCA: dominant.

Ischemia 52

Ischemia Chest Pain Stenosis STEMI 52

EMS 12-Lead

MAY 20, 2022

There is broad subendocardial ischemia as demonstrated by STE aVR with concomitant STD that almost appears appropriately maximal in Leads II and V5. There is LBBB-like morphology with persistent patterns of subendocardial ischemia. This worried the crew of potential acute coronary syndrome and STEMI was activated pre-hospital.

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Cardiomyopathy Ischemia STEMI Coronary Angiogram 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. An 80% thrombotic RCA was stented.

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Chest Pain Ischemia STEMI Stent 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 6, 2023

I do not think this ECG is by itself diagnostic of OMI (full thickness, subepicardial ischemia ), b ut comparison to a previous might reveal this ECG as diagnostic of OMI. Immediate and early percutaneous coronary intervention in very high-risk and high-risk Non-STEMI patients. Lupu L, et al. mg/dL, K 3.5 Abstract 556.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain Ischemia Myocardial Infarction ICU 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 18, 2012

This is typical for subendocardial ischemia, not STEMI, and often means left main ischemia or 3 vessel ischemia. Right sided ECGs are best recorded in the context of inferior STEMI. Because of precordial ST depression, clinicians were also worried about posterior STEMI. This is her ECG 1.5

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STEMI Ischemia Chest Pain Stent 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 20, 2023

Since then, I started looking for OMI EKG findings and not just STEMI. Remember: these findings above are included as STEMI equivalent findings in the 2022 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on ACS Patients in the ED. mm in lead I, thus not STEMI criteria) and was finally understood by the cardiologist.

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Chest Pain STEMI Blog Cholesterol 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 10, 2022

While this ECG is negative for “posterior STEMI”, the resolution of anterior ST depression (accompanied by the troponin elevation) confirms posterior OMI with spontaneous reperfusion. The second opportunity to make the diagnosis and expedite angiography was missed because the ECG never met STEMI criteria and continued to be labeled ‘normal.’

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STEMI Myocardial Infarction Chest Pain Angina 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 16, 2015

A middle-aged male with h/o CAD and stents presented with typical chest pressure. 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. So there is pathologic ST elevation here, consistent with anterolateral STEMI. Called 911.

STEMI 52

STEMI Chest Pain Cardiac Arrest Stent 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 17, 2019

It could at least say: "ST Elevation, consistent with normal variant," or "consistent with ischemia or normal variant," or "consistent with early repolarization." So there is definitely no STEMI, and the STE is normal. But after reading this blog, you all know that most OMI do NOT meet STEMI criteria. mm in men over age 40.

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Chest Pain STEMI Blog Ischemia 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 28, 2018

More Smith comment: it is true that ST depression (STD) due to subendocardial ischemia does not localize [it is usually diffuse ST depression, in multiple leads and not reciprocal to ST elevation in an opposite territory], this ST depression is different! Both were stented. Subsequent echo showed no wall motion abnormality.

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Pericarditis Ischemia STEMI Chest Pain 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 19, 2023

It was opened and stented. The patient was diagnosed with a"Non-STEMI." Traditionally , Occlusion MI (OMI) myocardial infarctions that are not STEMI are called NonSTEMI. Angiogram: Culprit for the patient's inferior ECG changes and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction is a 100% acute thrombotic occlusion of the proximal RCA.

Chest Pain 52

Chest Pain STEMI Myocardial Infarction Document 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 26, 2015

These elevations meet STEMI criteria ( ≥ 1mm in 2 contiguous leads). While this may be change that is reciprocal to an Acute/Subacute Inferior STEMI, the problem is that LV aneurysm may also manifest with this reciprocal change. In STEMI, they are generally upright and large in proportion to the QRS. This case is tough.

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Chest Pain Aneurysm STEMI Document 52

EMS 12-Lead

JUNE 20, 2022

A prehospital STEMI activation was transmitted to the closest PCI center, and 324mg ASA was administered. He was rushed to the Cath Lab where an LAD culprit lesion was stented. Here is the LAD after stent placement. It’s important to stress the presence of a normal QRS (i.e., The pathology is now painfully evident.

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STEMI Stent Stents Myocardial Infarction 52