Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 31, 2023

Cath lab declined as it is not a STEMI." And now this finding is even formally endorsed as a "STEMI equivalent" in the 2022 ACC guidelines!!! Another myocardial wall is sacrificed at the altar of the STEMI/NonSTEMI mindset. Academic Emergency Medicine 27(S1): S220; May 2020. Cath attending is aware. It is a mass delusion.

STEMI 81

STEMI Coronary ACS OR 81

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 article by Aslanger, Smith et al that is featured above in today’s post has just been published.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary EMR ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 17, 2016

Jason was very skeptical of STEMI. This also argues against STEMI. Look for old ECGs Do serial ECGs Do echocardiography == MY Comment by K EN G RAUER, MD ( 10/1/2020 ): == From time to time — it's helpful to "resurface" prior cases that convey timeless important lessons. He complained of 3 days of diarrhea and abdominal pain.

STEMI 52

STEMI OR Coronary EMS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 18, 2024

I sent this to the Queen of Hearts So the ECG is both STEMI negative and has no subtle diagnostic signs of occlusion. Non-STEMI guidelines call for “urgent/immediate invasive strategy is indicated in patients with NSTE-ACS who have refractory angina or hemodynamic or electrical instability,” regardless of ECG findings.[1]

STEMI 118

STEMI Coronary ALS CAD 118

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. Do either, both, or neither have occlusion MI? Vitals were normal.

STEMI 73

STEMI Paramedic Coronary ED 73

EMS 12-Lead

AUGUST 14, 2022

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.

MICU 130

MICU STEMI CAD Coronary 130

Pulsara

JANUARY 25, 2024

In 2020, MEMS adopted Pulsara to improve communication with area hospitals for time-sensitive emergencies such as stroke, STEMI, and trauma. The organization’s service area covers approximately 1,800 square miles and nearly half a million Arkansans. MEMS transports around 77,000 patients each year.

Emergency Medical Services 108

Emergency Medical Services EMS STEMI Emergency Department 108

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 11, 2024

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. This case is an example of the steps we can all take in daily practice as the paradigm shifts from STEMI to OMI.

STEMI 74

STEMI Paramedic Coronary EMS 74

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

Are Some Cardiologists Really Limited by Strict Adherence to STEMI millimeter criteria? This is the response he got: Interventionist: "No STEMI, no cath. After stabilizing the patient and recording more ECGs, he tried again: Interventionalist: "It isn't a STEMI." It is a STEMI equivalent. We don't know how many though.

STEMI 52

STEMI Defibrillator ED ACS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 2, 2024

This was a machine read STEMI positive OMI. The meaning of this quote is that at times, something as obvious as the dramatic anterior lead ST elevation that we see in today's tracing is not the result of an acute LAD STEMI. His ECG is shown below. Pretty obvious anterior current of injury. What would you guess is the culprit artery?

STEMI 109

STEMI ALS OR 109

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 27, 2024

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. 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?

Defibrillator 91

Defibrillator STEMI Coronary ALS 91

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 28, 2023

Only very slight STE which does not meet STEMI criteria at this time. I am immediately worried that this OMI will not be understood, for many reasons including lack of sufficient STE for STEMI criteria, as well as the common misunderstanding of "no reciprocal findings" which is very common with this particular pattern.

STEMI 52

STEMI ED ACS Coronary 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 12, 2022

Failure to do so may result in overlooking subtle ST-T wave changes in a patient "in passage" from a frank STEMI toward reperfusion changes. Here is the OMI progression of ECG findings for review: You can see that OMI ECG findings must "deflate" and pass through normal or near-normal in order to get to reperfusion findings.

OR 52

OR ACS STEMI Coronary 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

JUNE 11, 2024

Now it is a full blown STEMI of 3 myocardial territories: inferior, posterior, and lateral But at least it does not call it "Normal." Learning Points: You cannot trust conventional algorithms even to find STEMI(+) OMI, even when they say "normal ECG." At this point — a STEMI was diagnosed, and cardiac cath with PCI was performed.

STEMI 111

STEMI Coronary Emergency Department OR 111

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Recall from this post referencing this study that "reciprocal STD in aVL is highly sensitive for inferior OMI (far better than STEMI criteria) and excludes pericarditis, but is not specific for OMI." She seems a little concerned about some very subtle depression in the high lateral leads, but otherwise sees a pretty benign tracing.

E-9-1-1 121

E-9-1-1 ACS Coronary STEMI 121

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

In the available view of the sinus rhythm, we see normal variant STE which probably meets STEMI criteria in V4 and V5. In other words, the inferior "ST elevation" is due to the abnormal rhythm, and does not signify OMI or STEMI in any way. This situation has been named "Emery phenomenon." YOU TOO CAN HAVE THE PM Cardio AI BOT!!

STEMI 119

STEMI ED OR Coronary 119

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. Potassium was normal. This is not unusual.

STEMI 86

STEMI ACS OR ALS 86

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 1, 2023

Is this inferor STEMI? Atrial Flutter with Inferior STEMI? My Comment in the March 6, 2020 post — in which I review assessment of atrial activity ( and RP' intervals ) in reentry SVT rhythms. They were considering hyperkalemic or hyperacute T waves there. A VBG was ordered, which reported a normal potassium level of 4.9

OR 52

OR STEMI Emergency Department 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 1, 2022

Discharge Diagnosis was STEMI (The STE did not meet "criteria," so "OMI" would be better, but "STEMI" is far better than what this could have been called: NonSTEMI) Quotes from a note written by a really fine and knowledgable physician: "12-lead EKG was obtained initial 1 at time zero. He was ventilated with BVM on arrival.

Overdose 52

Overdose OR Coronary ACS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

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. I don't know if her pain was getting better or not.

Coronary 102

Coronary E-9-1-1 STEMI ACS 102

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"). Day 12 ECG: FINAL DIAGNOSIS: "NSTEMI" Despite the fact that his day 4 ECG easily meets STEMI criteria, the patient is diagnosed as NSTEMI. Academic Emergency Medicine 27(S1): S220; May 2020.

E-9-1-1 78

E-9-1-1 ACS STEMI Coronary 78

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 12, 2023

ECG read as: "Shows T wave inversions in the inferior leads and less than 1mm STE in V2, without STEMI criteria." All very very subtle. So the patient was placed back in the waiting room like many others. Aspirin was given. Normal RV, no significant valvular stenosis or regurgitation. But we don't have enough information to be sure.

OR 52

OR STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 30, 2023

There is an obvious inferior posterior STEMI(+) OMI. Methods Retrospective study of consecutive inferior STEMI , comparing ECGs of patients with, to those without, RVMI, as determined by angiographic coronary occlusion proximal to the RV marginal branch. What is the atrial activity? Is it sinus arrest with junctional escape?

E-9-1-1 82

E-9-1-1 STEMI Coronary OR 82

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 22, 2024

EKG from triage: Here is his previous ECG: Normal ST Elevation Resident's interpretation: Reperfusion pattern/Wellens' with biphasic T waves in V2 and V3, and in comparison to an EKG in 2020 this is new. Patient still not having chest pain however this is more concerning for OMI/STEMI. Labs ordered but not yet drawn. Aspirin given.

Coronary 117

Coronary STEMI ED OR 117

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 6, 2023

Here is the repeat ECG at 52 minutes after arrival to triage: Obvious posterolateral STEMI Angiographic findings: 1. page 1932 • “The application of STEMI ECG criteria on a standard 12-lead ECG alone will miss a significant minority of patients who have acute coronary occlusion. (21) This is diagnostic of posterolateral OMI.

OR 52

OR STEMI ED Critical Care 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 5, 2022

Despite the clinical context, Cardiology was consulted due to concerns for a "STEMI". Hyperkalemia mimics STEMI and OMI in many distributions, but probably the most common is the Brugada morphology in V1-V2 which mimics anterior OMI for those who cannot recognize the Brugada pattern. Fluid resuscitation was initiated.

E-9-1-1 52

E-9-1-1 OR STEMI ED 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 Coronary ALS ACS 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. KEY Point: The best way to confirm acute RV MI — is with use of right -sided leads ( See My Comment in the July 19, 2020 and July 11, 2018 posts). During EMS transport, the pain suddenly resolved.

STEMI 98

STEMI EMS Coronary OR 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 11, 2020

The provider contacted cardiology to discuss the case, but cardiology "didn't think it was a STEMI, didn't think he needed emergent cath." JAMA 2000) showed that 1/3 of patients with STEMI, and 1/3 of patients with NSTEMI, present without chest pain. The whole paradigm is literally called "STEMI" vs. "NSTEMI." Canto et al.

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS OR Coronary 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 4, 2023

Jason was very skeptical of STEMI. This also argues against STEMI. Look for old ECGs Do serial ECGs Do echocardiography June 17, 2016 Anterior STEMI? He complained of 3 days of diarrhea and abdominal pain. The medics recorded a prehospital ECG: The computerized QTc is 397 ms Jason writes: " What's your thoughts Steve?"

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary EMS ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 22, 2024

This is documented as a STEMI in the clinical notes and in the cath report, but certainly does not meet STEMI criteria and is therefore an NSTEMI by definition. For national registry purposes, this will be incorrectly classified as a STEMI.) Most STEMI have peak cTnI greater than 10.0. Large STEMI are approximately 30-80.

STEMI 111

STEMI OR 111

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 2, 2021

Practice putting the probe on the chest of someone with an obvious STEMI(+) OMI in order to look for regional wall motion abnormalities. In this study, Smith and others show that the initial high sensitivity troponin is often below the 99th percentile in true STEMI (+) OMI (and sometime even below a very low threshold). [1] Gray, A.,

OR 52

OR ACS STEMI Coronary 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 8, 2024

She was diagnosed with a Non-STEMI and kept overnight for a next day angiogram. Medics recorded the above ECG and called a STEMI alert. Her symptoms at the time ECG #1 was obtained were CP and SOB — yet interpretation of this initial tracing prompted a STEMI alert. Her troponin I returned at 900 ng/L.

Coronary 71

Coronary STEMI EMS OR 71

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 24, 2024

And regarding arrhythmias: For more on the regular WCT — See My Comment in the May 5, 2020 post and in the April 15, 2020 post in Dr. Smith's ECG Blog. 2:25 — Dr. Grauer: The 1st Error : Too many clinicians in 2024 are still stuck in the outdated millimeter-based STEMI Paradigm”. 4:35 — I’m sent a tracing. Smith's ECG Blog.

E-9-1-1 52

E-9-1-1 Coronary STEMI OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 13, 2023

For technical reasons — P waves are not well visible in this tracing — BUT — the P wave in lead I appears to be larger than the P wave in lead II , which is often a tip-off to LA-LL Reversal ( See My Comment in the November 19, 2020 and the May 24, 2022 posts in Dr. Smith's ECG Blog ). OR — Maybe there is LA-LL Lead Reversal ???

EMR 113

EMR Coronary OR STEMI 113

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 21, 2024

The ECG shows obvious STEMI(+) OMI due to probable proximal LAD occlusion. The patient in today’s case is a previously healthy 40-something male who contacted EMS due to acute onset crushing chest pain. The pain was 10/10 in intensity radiating bilaterally to the shoulders and also to the left arm and neck. The below ECG was recorded.

Defibrillator 113

Defibrillator Coronary ALS STEMI 113