Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 27, 2024

The proof of this is that only 5% of patients enrolled had acute coronary occlusion. COACT: The COACT trial was fatally flawed, and because of it, many cardiologists are convinced that if there are no STEMI criteria, the patient does not need to go to the cath lab. This study failed to do so. 5% vs. 58%!!

Defibrillator 91

Defibrillator STEMI Coronary ALS 91

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). Smith Comment: Is is common for the artery to be open at angiogram in OMI, including full STEMI.

STEMI 97

STEMI Coronary Defibrillator EMS 97

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

OCTOBER 17, 2024

The prehospital and ED computer interpretation was inferior STEMI: There’s normal sinus rhythm, first degree AV block and RBBB, normal axis and normal voltages. The paramedic notes called STEMI into question: “EMS disagree with monitor for STEMI callout. Coronaries were normal, as was serial troponin. Vitals were normal.

STEMI 73

STEMI Paramedic Coronary ED 73

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. aVR ST segment elevation: acute STEMI or not? Incidence of an acute coronary occlusion.

ACS 52

ACS Coronary STEMI ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 12, 2024

Written by Bobby Nicholson What do you think of this “STEMI”? Second, although there is a lot of ST Elevation which meets STEMI criteria, especially in V3-4, the ST segment is extremely upwardly concave with very large J-waves (J-point notching). With EMS, patient had a GCS of 3 and was saturating 60% on room air. ng/mL and 0.10

STEMI 97

STEMI Coronary Emergency Department OR 97

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 18, 2023

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] have published a number of warnings about the previous reassuring studies.[4,5]

STEMI 117

STEMI Emergency Department Coronary OR 117

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-9-1-1 118

E-9-1-1 Coronary ACS BLS 118

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Here is the post shock ECG: Cardiology was called stat for ischemic VT, query SCAD vs thrombotic occlusion vs coronary vasospasm. Cath lab was activated: There was no coronary artery disease, but there was spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) of the distal LAD, which was narrowed by 95%, and treated medically.

OR 66

OR STEMI ACS Coronary 66

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 Coronary ALS ACS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 23, 2023

Notice on the right side of the image how the algorithm correctly measures STE sufficient in V1 and V2 to meet STEMI criteria in a man older than age 40. As most would agree, this ECG shows highly specific findings of anterolateral OMI, even with STEMI criteria in this case. Thus, this is obvious STEMI(+) OMI until proven otherwise.

STEMI 90

STEMI Coronary Paramedic OR 90

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 21, 2024

The ECG shows obvious STEMI(+) OMI due to probable proximal LAD occlusion. It shows a proximal LAD occlusion, in conjunction with a subtotally occluded LMCA ( Left Main Coronary Artery ). The patient in today’s case is a previously healthy 40-something male who contacted EMS due to acute onset crushing chest pain.

Defibrillator 113

Defibrillator Coronary ALS STEMI 113

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 8, 2022

BP 142/100 HR 90 RR 16 (BBS CTA) SpO2 99 (RA) Dstick 110 My colleagues noted the ST-depression in the respective leads, as well, and STEMI activated to the nearest PCI center. 1] Here is the admitting ED ECG after cancellation of Code STEMI. Cardiology admitted him for observation with plans for next-day coronary angiogram.

STEMI 130

STEMI ALS Coronary CAD 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 16, 2020

Shark Fin has also been called: " Giant R-wave " " Triangular QRS-ST-T waveform " Usually shark fin is in one coronary distribution and represents massive ST elevation that is as high as the peak of the R-wave and therefore fuses the R-wave and ST segment. So this is STEMI, right? Which artery? Could this be myopericarditis?

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 19, 2024

The ED provider ordered a coronary CT scan to assess the patient for CAD. His EKG with worse pain now shows enough ST elevation to meet STEMI criteria. The EKG was read by the conventional computer algorithm as diagnostic of “ACUTE MI/STEMI”. The patient started receiving medications for “STEMI” (including heparin!!!)

STEMI 60

STEMI Coronary CAD ED 60

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). It can only be seen by IVUS.

Emergency Department 52

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

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). There is mixed overlap of ST-segment elevation (STE), ST-segment depression (STD), Hyperacute T waves (HATW), and deWinter pattern (which the ACC regards as a STEMI-equivalent but is better suited under the blanket of OMI).

ACS 130

ACS Paramedic Coronary ALS 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 25, 2023

Smith and Meyers to diagnose both obvious (STEMI) and subtle OMI. 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.

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI ALS OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 10, 2024

Unfortunately you can see that the conventional Zoll algorithm sees nothing even to suggest AMI, let alone STEMI. Really unusual to me that QOH V1 only has low confidence, but at least its correct. During EMS transport, the pain suddenly resolved.

STEMI 97

STEMI EMS Coronary OR 97

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 9, 2023

Barely any STE, and thus not meeting STEMI criteria. Annals of Emergency Medicine Cardiology was called to evaluate the patient immediately for emergent cath, but they stated that the ECG did not meet STEMI criteria and elected to wait for further information before proceeding with cath. He was given 6mg IV morphine for ongoing pain.

E-9-1-1 52

E-9-1-1 STEMI Coronary ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 6, 2024

It definitely does not fulfill STEMI criteria, and I would argue that it would not lead to cath lab activation in most centers. All coronary arteries were patent without atherosclerotic change. . == Below is the ECG of Patient #2 — as interpreted by the QOH. The ECG is diagnostic of occlusion myocardial infarction (OMI).

Coronary 85

Coronary OR STEMI EMS 85

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 20, 2019

There is sinus rhythm with minimal STE in V1-V3, not meeting STEMI criteria. Learning Points: Serial ECGs can sometimes turn a difficult decision into a very easy one, but not all OMIs will develop into clear STEMIs quickly, and some OMIs never will manifest STEMI at all.

STEMI 52

STEMI EMS OR Coronary 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 31, 2023

This was marked as "Not a STEMI" by the physicians. It is not a STEMI, but it is diagnostic of an LAD OMI (Occlusion MI). has outperformed many cardiologists in its ability to recognize with "high confidence" acute OMIs from ECGs not satisfying STEMI-criteria. This was sent to me by a friend. What About the Initial ECG?

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary OR ED 52

EMS 12-Lead

MAY 8, 2022

The attending crews were concerned for SVT with corresponding ischemic hyperacute T waves (HATW) and subsequently activated STEMI pre-hospital. Cardiology was consulted, who advised to surveil a metabolic process as this did not strike them as acute coronary syndrome. Closer inspection will show that it is Sinus, after all.

STEMI 130

STEMI ED EMS Firefighter 130

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

MAY 16, 2023

Here is the Queen of Heart's interpretation: The cath lab had been activated for concern of STEMI. Learning Points: This is one of many examples of false positive STEMI criteria, which is distinguishable by expert humans, and now by AI such as QOH. Emergent CT coronary angio also likely has a role in such cases.

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI ED OR 52

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. That was also my initial concern. No "baseline" ECG is available for comparison.

Coronary 97

Coronary EMR STEMI Emergency Department 97

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

Inferior ST Depression does NOT mean there is inferior subendocardial ischemia; it is generally reciprocal to high lateral (aVL) subepicardial ischemia (OMI/STEMI) == MY Comment by K EN G RAUER, MD ( 2/10/2023 ): == There are certain patterns in ECG interpretation that experienced providers are able to immediately recognize.

STEMI 52

STEMI ALS Coronary OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 15, 2019

A prehospital ECG was recorded (not shown and not seen by me) which was worrisome for STEMI. A previous ECG from 4 years prior was normal: This looks like an anterior STEMI, but it is complicated by tachycardia (which can greatly elevate ST segments) and by the presentation which is of fever and sepsis.

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI OR ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 13, 2020

There is a subtle but important difference between OMI and subendocardial ischemia: OMI (that is not STEMI) is due to TIMI 0/1 flow and has any combination of subtle STE, hyperacute T-waves, reciprocal ST depression, decreased QRS amplitude, terminal QRS distortion and other findings. Is this OMI?

Coronary 52

Coronary ACS EMS STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 12, 2020

And so it is wise to look at the coronary arteries. This ECG certainly looks like myocarditis, and was due to myocarditis, but missing acute coronary occlusion is not acceptable. In a series of 18 patients with COVID and ST elevation, 8 were diagnosed with STEMI, 6 of whom had an angiogram and it showed obstructive coronary disease.

E-9-1-1 52

E-9-1-1 STEMI Coronary ALS 52

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 ALS ACS OR 52

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

FEBRUARY 4, 2022

I have here 30 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. Litell JM, Meyers HP, Smith SW.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary Emergency Department OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 22, 2022

The HEART and EDACS scores are helpful to risk stratify patients with chest pain, but they hinge on accurate ECG interpretation: a low score doesn’t apply if the ECG shows STEMI(+)OMI, and shouldn’t be used for STEMI(-)OMI or OMI reperfusion either 2. JAMA Intern Med 2019 9. Am J Med 2021 5. Shah ASV, Anand A, Sandoval Y, et al.

E-9-1-1 52

E-9-1-1 STEMI ALS ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 25, 2023

Is it STEMI? Instead — it commonly reflects ischemia from severe underlying coronary disease. A New Seizure in a Healthy 20-something More cases of long QT not measured correctly by computer (these are all fascinating ECGs/cases): Bupropion Overdose Followed by Cardiac Arrest and, Later, ST Elevation. Chest pain in high risk patient.

Overdose 112

Overdose OR ACS ICU 112

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 7, 2019

There is an obvious inferior STEMI, but what else? Besides the obvious inferior STEMI, there is across the precordial leads also, especially in V1. This STE is diagnostic of Right Ventricular STEMI (RV MI). In fact, the STE is widespread, mimicking an anterior STEMI. EKG is pictured below: What do you think?

STEMI 52

STEMI EMS Coronary ALS 52