Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 19, 2023

The commonest causes of MINOCA include: atherosclerotic causes such as plaque rupture or erosion with spontaneous thrombolysis, and non-atherosclerotic causes such as coronary vasospasm (sometimes called variant angina or Prinzmetal's angina), coronary embolism or thrombosis, possibly microvascular dysfunction. This is not the case.

E-9-1-1 119

E-9-1-1 Coronary ACS BLS 119

REBEL EM

MARCH 30, 2023

The TOMAHAWK (Desch 2021), COACT (Abella 2019), and PEARL (Lemkes 2019) trials examined patients with OHCA without ST elevation with a shockable rhythm, and investigators found no difference in delayed versus emergency angiogram. Article: How-Berlemont C, Lamhaut L, Diehl J, et al. CPC 4: Coma or vegetative state.

Coronary 83

Coronary CPR OR ICU 83

EMS 12-Lead

AUGUST 14, 2022

A second 12 Lead ECG was recorded: This is a testament to the dynamic nature of coronary thrombosis and thrombolysis. Here the ST segments are not so deep, nor are the T waves so wide and bulky, because of improved coronary flow at the level of the occlusion. But the lesion is still active!

MICU 130

MICU STEMI CAD Coronary 130

EMS 12-Lead

MAY 20, 2022

Additional architectural changes include systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, endothelial dysfunction at the level of the coronary arterial bed, and ventricular diastolic dysfunction. This worried the crew of potential acute coronary syndrome and STEMI was activated pre-hospital. It is spread to V2 and V3.

Coronary 130

Coronary STEMI Firefighter ED 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 1, 2022

The 50-something patient with history of coronary stenting and slightly reduced LV ejection fraction. which would suggest reduced rates of major adverse cardiac events with coronary artery bypass grafting." On the other hand, stable EKG over an hour in the setting of ongoing acute coronary syndrome is again unusual.

Overdose 52

Overdose OR Coronary ACS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 21, 2023

Below is the version standardized by PM Cardio app Meyers interpretation: Findings are specific for posterior (and also likely inferior) wall transmural acute infarction, most likely due to acute coronary occlusion (OMI). Clinical Cardiology 2019. In this case, the EMS provider was routed to the urgent care facility.

STEMI 97

STEMI Coronary Defibrillator EMS 97

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 21, 2024

It shows a proximal LAD occlusion, in conjunction with a subtotally occluded LMCA ( Left Main Coronary Artery ). Upon contrast injection of the LMCA, the patient deteriorated, as the LMCA was severely diseased and flow to all coronary arteries ( LAD, LCx and RCA ) was compromised. He was taken immediately to the cath lab.

Defibrillator 113

Defibrillator Coronary ALS STEMI 113

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Coronaries were clean. There is No Reciprocal ST-T Depression: We have often referred to the almost " magical" mirror-image relationship for ST-T waves in leads III and aVL when there is acute inferior MI ( See My Comment in the September 30, 2019 post in Dr. Smith's ECG Blog, as well as many others ). What do you think, Steve?

E-9-1-1 111

E-9-1-1 Coronary ALS ED 111

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 7, 2024

First trop was 7,000ng/L (normal 25% of ‘Non-STEMI’ patients with delayed angiography have the exact same pathology of acute coronary occlusion. The new ACC expert consensus explains that: “STEMI ECG criteria on a standard 12-lead ECG alone will miss a significant minority of patients who have acute coronary occlusion. Take home 1.

STEMI 66

STEMI Coronary ALS OR 66

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 27, 2024

The proof of this is that only 5% of patients enrolled had acute coronary occlusion. Coronary Angiography after Cardiac Arrest without ST-Segment Elevation. N Engl J Med [Internet] 2019;Available from: [link] Should all patients with shockable arrest be taken to angiography regardless of STEMI or No STEMI? 5% vs. 58%!!

Defibrillator 91

Defibrillator STEMI Coronary ALS 91

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 14, 2024

He underwent coronary angiography which showed severe multivessel disease, and he agreed to proceed with workup for CABG. The September 27, 2019 post — for the Rowlands & Moore article with the above-noted formulas for recognizing the “culprit” extremity. The September 22, 2019 post — intermittent ST-T wave artifact.

Defibrillator 77

Defibrillator ALS Coronary OR 77

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 3, 2024

See the variety of Left Main Occlusion ECGs here: How does Acute Total Left Main Coronary occlusion present on the ECG? == MY Comment , by K EN G RAUER, MD ( 5/3 /2024 ): == Most patients with acute LMain Occlusion do not survive to make it to the hospital. There is STE in aVR. Thus, there is high lateral OMI with diffuse ST depression.

ACS 114

ACS ED Coronary EMS 114

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

Hgb 11g/dL (110g/L) and leukocytosis, and a mildly elevated troponin (36 ng/L, with normal 1mm STE in aVR due to ACS will require coronary artery bypass surgery for revascularization, the infarct artery is often not the LM, but rather the LAD or severe 3-vessel disease. Incidence of an acute coronary occlusion. link] Harhash AA et al.

Coronary 52

Coronary ACS STEMI ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 6, 2024

All coronary arteries were patent without atherosclerotic change. Dr. Myocarditis can be very difficult to separate from OMI on ECG, and often some form of coronary artery imaging will need to be done to rule out OMI. In any case, the ECG is diagnostic of severe ischemia and probably OMI. Concordant STE of 1 mm in just one lead or 2a.

Coronary 85

Coronary OR STEMI EMS 85

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 25, 2023

But the stuttering pain and sudden onset suggest acute coronary occlusion (Occlusion MI, or OMI). Cath lab activation by the ED and I agree with coronary angiography emergently." Result: no angiographically significant obstructive coronary artery disease. First, many on Twitter said "Pericarditis". Medical Rx.

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI ALS OR 52

EMS 12-Lead

AUGUST 22, 2022

The coronary angiogram revealed no critical stenosis, or acute plaque ulceration. Takotsubo should be a diagnosis of exclusion after angiography reveals no obstructive coronary disease, and repeat Echo displays left ventricular recovery. A 12 Lead ECG was recorded secondary to bizarre telemetry findings at bedside.

E-9-1-1 130

E-9-1-1 Coronary ALS ICU 130

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 14, 2022

It should be emphasized here that this is a presentation of high-pretest probability for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Utility of the history and physical examination in the detection of Acute Coronary Syndromes in emergency department patients. Past medical history included HTN, HLD, and MI 10 years prior. ECG's are difficult.

ACS 130

ACS Paramedic Coronary ALS 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 12, 2024

Preliminary findings documented in the cath lab were “Anterior STEMI and no significant coronary artery disease.” (!!!) A new 4-variable formula to differentiate normal variant ST segment elevation in V2-V4 (early repolarization) from subtle left anterior descending coronary occlusion - Adding QRS amplitude of V2 improves the model.

STEMI 98

STEMI Coronary Emergency Department OR 98

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 8, 2022

Cardiology admitted him for observation with plans for next-day coronary angiogram. A 56 y/o Male called 911 from his hotel room in the early morning hours after abruptly awakening from sleep with crushing chest discomfort and difficulty breathing. He reported to EMS a medical history of GERD only. He left AMA and is lost to follow-up.

STEMI 130

STEMI ALS Coronary CAD 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 9, 2024

The patient is an older woman with known coronary disease and an ICD-Pacemaker implanted because of a history of VT ( V entricular T achycardia ). However , this patient is having chest discomfort, and by definition then she should be considered not to be stable. Is this: 1. In either case, prompt cardioversion is indicated.

Coronary 99

Coronary ACS ED OR 99

Don't Forget the Bubbles

OCTOBER 7, 2024

However, vertical flow can result in myocardial injury secondary to coronary artery spasm. Electrical injuries can range from something minor that needs no medical input to tetany of respiratory muscles through to cardiac arrest secondary to dysrhythmia (VF, VT or asystole). Was the voltage high or low (as below)?

ACS 80

ACS Life Support OR CPR 80

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 17, 2024

Coronaries were normal, as was serial troponin. Written by Jesse McLaren Two patients in their 70s presented to the ED with chest pain and RBBB. Do either, both, or neither have occlusion MI? Patient 1 : a 75 year old called paramedics with one day of left shoulder pain which migrated to the central chest, which was worse with deep breaths.

STEMI 73

STEMI Paramedic Coronary ED 73

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 24, 2019

The biphasic T wave is consistent with recent reperfusion of an occluded coronary artery supplying the inferior region. Here’s the angiogram of the RCA : No thrombus or plaque rupture in the RCA (or any coronary artery) was found. This MI wasn’t caused by a ruptured plaque of CAD - it was a coronary artery dissection of the RCA.

Coronary 52

Coronary CAD ACS STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

Hospital Course The patient was taken emergently to the cath lab which did not reveal any significant coronary artery disease, but she was noted to have reduced EF consistent with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Such cases are classified as MINOCA (Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructed Coronary Arteries). V1 has 0.5 mm of elevation.

Emergency Department 52

Emergency Department E-9-1-1 Coronary STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 5, 2023

By Magnus Nossen, edits by Grauer and Smith The patient is a 70-something female with DMII, HTN and an extensive prior history of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarctions. She's had multiple PCI procedures. On the day of presentation she complained of typical chest pain, and stated it feels like prior MI. It is shown below.

Coronary 101

Coronary OR ALS 101

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 1, 2024

His medical history includes hypertension, a decade-long battle with diabetes, ischemic heart disease, a coronary bypass graft surgery ten years ago, a diagnosis of congestive heart failure for the last five years, and a prior ICD implantation five years ago. The patient rapidly regained consciousness, reporting no residual pain.

Coronary 97

Coronary EMR STEMI Emergency Department 97

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 18, 2023

6] Among 394 emergency department Code STEMI patients with acute culprit lesion requiring coronary interpretation, 16 (4.1%) presented with an ECG labeled ‘normal’ or ‘otherwise normal’ by computer interpretation. Written by Jesse McLaren Four patients presented with chest pain. minutes).

STEMI 118

STEMI Emergency Department Coronary OR 118

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 23, 2023

I have here 38 cases of "Computer Normal" ECGs which were critically abnormal and the vast majority are missed acute coronary occlusions (Missed Acute OMI) and most were recognized by the physician. We wrote this Editorial in the Journal of Electrocardiology in 2019. EMS arrived and recorded this ECG: What do you think?

STEMI 90

STEMI Coronary Paramedic OR 90

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 31, 2020

Their OMI Manifesto details how use of standard STEMI criteria results in an unacceptable level of inaccuracy, in which an estimated 25-30% of acute coronary occlusions are missed! The more leads in a given lead area that show hyperacute changes — the greater the concern for acute OMI.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary EMR ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

We who know ischemic ECGs know that really when T-wave inversion is specific for coronary thrombosis that it indicates reperfusion of the artery, not active occlusion. For examples of such exceptions — See My Comment in the January 9, 2019 — August 22, 2020 — and June 30, 2023 posts in Dr. Smith's ECG Blog ). Learning Point: 1.

E-9-1-1 107

E-9-1-1 Coronary EMS ED 107

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 19, 2024

The ED provider ordered a coronary CT scan to assess the patient for CAD. The patient was taken emergently to the cath lab for a pericardiocentesis instead of a coronary angiogram. A troponin T was drawn at 1229 and resulted slightly elevated at 23 ng/L (URL for men in this assay is 15 ng/L). This is typical of pericarditis.

STEMI 60

STEMI Coronary CAD ED 60

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 13, 2020

Smith presented results from a 2019 article by Harhash et al, that confirm how the ECG pattern shown in Figure-1 does not represent acute LMain occlusion — but rather the differential diagnosis that I show above. EMS gave 324 mg aspirin and 3 sublingual NTG, which the patient stated reduced the substernal chest pain from an 8/10 to 4/10.

Coronary 52

Coronary ACS EMS ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 16, 2023

Emergent CT coronary angio also likely has a role in such cases. Like they would for any other acute arterial occlusion syndrome (such as suspicion of acute large vessel stroke), they take the patient across the hall and perform an immediate CT (coronary) angiogram, showing patent coronaries. I immediately responded: "cool fake!

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI ED OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 10, 2024

For those with an interest in another case illustrating the intriguing interplay between opposing electric forces, as may occur with acute RV and posterior MI evolving at different tempos — Check out My Comment in the October 7, 2019 post.

STEMI 98

STEMI EMS Coronary OR 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 3, 2022

It was a 60yo with a history of stents to the circumflex and right coronary arteries, who presented with 9 hours of fluctuating central chest pain. This is step 4 : relying on the first troponin level to rule out acute coronary occlusion. 4] CT revealed no dissection but extensive coronary atherosclerosis.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary ALS ACS 52

EMS 12-Lead

MAY 8, 2022

Cardiology was consulted, who advised to surveil a metabolic process as this did not strike them as acute coronary syndrome. This grading system is the time sensitive prelude to Q-wave (irreversible transmural scar) formation, as demonstrated in the image below. [1] 2] But there is also Sinus Tachycardia! The serum K returned 8.7,

STEMI 130

STEMI ED EMS Firefighter 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

Because of the importance of this entity — we continue to periodically review it in cases we present ( See the May 2, 2019 post — among many others ). I came across this ECG while reading ECGs for Cardiologs in order to train the Cardiologs Deep Convolutional Neural Network. What is it? This is a proximal LAD Occlusion.

STEMI 52

STEMI ALS Coronary OR 52