Emergency Medicine Cases

DECEMBER 16, 2019

In this ECG Cases blog we look at seven patients with potentially ischemic symptoms and subtle ECG changes in the lateral leads. Which had acute coronary occlusion? The post ECG Cases 4: Lateral STEMI or Occlusion MI? Introducing the concept of Occlusion MI - a paradigm shift in ECG diagnosis of MI.

STEMI 130

STEMI OR Coronary 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 7, 2024

So while there’s no diagnostic STEMI criteria, there are multiple ischemic abnormalities in 11/12 leads involving QRS, ST and T waves, which are diagnostic of a proximal LAD occlusion. First trop was 7,000ng/L (normal 25% of ‘Non-STEMI’ patients with delayed angiography have the exact same pathology of acute coronary occlusion.

STEMI 66

STEMI Coronary ALS OR 66

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Angiogram No obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease Cannot exclude non-ACS causes of troponin elevation including coronary vasospasm, stress cardiomyopathy, microvascular disease, etc. CORONARY ARTERIES: Exam was not directly tailored for coronary artery evaluation, noting recent diagnostic coronary angiogram.

Coronary 101

Coronary E-9-1-1 STEMI ACS 101

REBEL EM

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Background: Primary PCI is the recommended reperfusion strategy in patients with STEMI and should be initiated within 2 hours after first medical contact. STREAM-2: Half-Dose Tenecteplase or Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Older Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized, Open-Label Trial.

STEMI 138

STEMI Allergic Reaction Coronary Ambulance 138

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 27, 2024

The cath lab was deactivated by cardiologist on arrival at ED because it was "not a STEMI". Initial 4th generation troponin I was 10 ng/mL is consistent with large MI due to acute coronary occlusion (OMI). There are moderate coronary artery calcifications. Pain was decreased to 2/10. CT Angio Chest IMPRESSION 1.

STEMI 116

STEMI ED Coronary EMS 116

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. Similarly, if a patient with known CAD presents with refractory ischemic chest pain, the ECG barely matters: the pre-test likelihood of acute coronary occlusion is so high that they need an emergent angiogram.

STEMI 117

STEMI Coronary ALS CAD 117

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 31, 2024

But it does not meet the ridiculous "STEMI criteria" since there is not 1 mm of STE in any lead. Perhaps the highly unusual initial rhythm in today's case was simply the result of SA nodal ischemia that resolved following coronary reperfusion. So this is acute OMI. What does the Queen of Hearts say? (Dr.

STEMI 103

STEMI Coronary 103

Emergency Medicine Cases

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

LVH produces secondary repolarization abnormalities that can mimic STEMI. In this ECG Cases blog we look at 6 patients who presented with potentially ischemic symptoms and LVH on their ECG. Which had an acute coronary occlusion?

STEMI 130

STEMI Coronary OR EMS 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 27, 2024

The ECG did not meet STEMI criteria, and the final cardiology interpretation was “ST and T wave abnormality, consider anterior ischemia”. There’s only minimal ST elevation in III, which does not meet STEMI criteria of 1mm in two contiguous leads. But STEMI criteria is only 43% sensitive for OMI.[1]

STEMI 118

STEMI Coronary ALS Emergency Department 118

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 22, 2022

Smith , d and Muzaffer Değertekin a DIFOCCULT: DIagnostic accuracy oF electrocardiogram for acute coronary OCClUsion resuLTing in myocardial infarction. Coronary arteries cannot be assessed because the scan was not gated, but proximal segments of the coronary arteries seem to be open with some contrast. Again nothing diagnostic.

STEMI 52

STEMI EMR Coronary OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 31, 2020

Meyers, Weingart and Smith published their OMI Manifesto — in which they extensively document the critically important concept that management of acute MI by separation into a “STEMI” vs “non-STEMI” classification is an irreversibly flawed approach.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary EMR ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 7, 2024

Obvious infero-postero-lateral STEMI(+)OMI, regardless of context Now let’s put them in order: what was the sequence? When the pain recurred the ECG normalized(ECG#2), but this is pseudonormalization : the coronary artery has spontaneously reoccluded, and the T waves are on their way up. What was the outcome and final diagnosis?

STEMI 96

STEMI Coronary OR EMS 96

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024

This certainly looks like an anterior STEMI (proximal LAD occlusion), with STE and hyperacute T-waves (HATW) in V2-V6 and I and aVL. How do you explain the anterior STEMI(+)OMI immediately after ROSC evolving into posterior OMI 30 minutes later? This caused a type 2 anterior STEMI.

STEMI 80

STEMI Coronary Defibrillator OR 80

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

The conventional machine algorithm interpreted this ECG as STEMI. See this post of RV MI with both McConnell sign and "D" sign: Inferior and Posterior STEMI. Thanks in part to rapid bedside diagnosis, the patient was able to avoid emergent coronary angiography. When EMS found her, she was dyspneic and diaphoretic.

E-9-1-1 109

E-9-1-1 Coronary STEMI ALS 109

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 4, 2023

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. OMI or STEMI? As cardiology documented, “possible STEMI.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary OR ACS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 10, 2023

A CT Coronary angiogram was ordered. Here are the results: --Minimally obstructive coronary artery disease. --LAD Although a lesion is not visible anatomically on this CT scan, coronary catheter angiography could be considered based on Cardiology evaluation." Transient STEMI is at high risk of re-occlusion.

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI CAD OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 25, 2024

But cardiac arrest is a period of near zero flow in the coronary arteries and causes SEVERE ischemia. Cardiac arrest #3: ST depression, Is it STEMI? As we have often emphasized on Dr. Smith's ECG Blog ( See My Comment in the March 1, 2023 post) — DSI does not indicate acute coronary occlusion! And what do you want to do?

Defibrillator 110

Defibrillator Coronary Epinephrine ACS 110

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 27, 2023

But do they represent acute coronary occlusion? But coronaries were normal, and serial high sensitivity troponin was undetectable. Based on ECG changes and echo findings, the patient was diagnosed as coronary vasospasm. Formal echo showed EF 55% with mild inferolateral hypokinesis without any prior for comparison.

STEMI 88

STEMI Coronary OR ED 88

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

I came to work one day and one of my partners said, "Hey, Steve, we had a STEMI this afternoon!" That is not a STEMI. More cases can be found on the blog here. They had activated the cath lab and the interventionalist did not notice that it was not a STEMI/OMI. I said, "Cool, can I see the ECG?' He said: "What?

STEMI 129

STEMI Coronary 129

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. Do NOT give it unless you are committed to the cath lab!! Cath attending is aware. It is a mass delusion.

STEMI 81

STEMI Coronary ACS OR 81

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 19, 2023

This ECG was read as “No STEMI” with no prior available for comparison. It is true this ECG does not meet STEMI criteria (there is 1.0 The patient has also developed sinus bradycardia, which may result from right coronary artery ischemia to the SA node. Instead we discussed 5 minute delays for the STEMI(+) OMI patients.

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS Coronary Defibrillator 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

There’s inferior ST depression which is reciprocal to subtle lateral convex ST elevation, and the precordial T waves are subtly hyperacute – all concerning for STEMI(-)OMI of proximal LAD. There’s ST elevation I/aVL/V2 that meet STEMI criteria. This is obvious STEMI(+)OMI of proximal LAD. Non-STEMI or STEMI(-)OMI?

STEMI 52

STEMI Paramedic Coronary ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 22, 2024

"Unfortunately, the cardiologist waited until the next day to refer the patient for angiography and intervention because patient did not meet criteria for "STEMI"." The coronary angiography showed a 100% ostial main (obtuse) marginal occlusion!" Dominant right coronary, atherosclerotic and calcified. Peak troponin: 128,000 ng/L.

Coronary 66

Coronary STEMI OR ALS 66

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. Additionally, his cardiac telemetry monitor showed runs of accelerated idioventricular rhythm, a benign arrhythmia often associated with coronary reperfusion.

OR 106

OR STEMI Coronary ED 106

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

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

The Queen of Hearts Diagnosed "STEMI/STEMI equivalent" on that first ECG (she now uses "STEMI Equivalent" rather than OMI). The fact that she states "STEMI-Equivalent" here means that she does not think it is reperfused, but she does not know that the patient is pain free now. This is the new version of the Queen.

OR 64

OR STEMI Coronary CAD 64

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 20, 2024

This was sent by an undergraduate (not yet in medical school, but applying now) who works as an ED technician (records all EKGs, helps with procedures, takes vital signs) and who reads this blog regularly. They too have dense white masses consistent with coronary atherosclerosis. Edited by Smith He also sent me this great case.

CAD 122

CAD STEMI Coronary ACS 122

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 5, 2024

An undergraduate (not yet in medical school) who works as an ED technician (records all EKGs, helps with procedures, takes vital signs) and who reads this blog regularly arrived at work and happened to glance down and see this previously recorded ECG on a table in the ED. It was recorded at 0530: What do you think?

ED 114

ED STEMI Coronary Paramedic 114

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 27, 2024

Old ‘NSTEMI’ A history of coronary artery disease and a stent to the same territory further increases pre-test likelihood of acute coronary occlusion, including in-stent thrombosis. So this NSTEMI was likely a STEMI(-)OMI with delayed reperfusion. Fortunately the patient did not reocclude while awaiting the angiogram.

STEMI 101

STEMI Coronary ACS ED 101

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." We have shown many examples of this on this blog.

STEMI 111

STEMI Coronary Emergency Department OR 111

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 22, 2024

Patient still not having chest pain however this is more concerning for OMI/STEMI. Wellens' syndrome is a syndrome of Transient OMI (old terminology would be transient STEMI). A comparison of electrocardiographic changes during reperfusion of acute myocardial infarction by thrombolysis or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Coronary 116

Coronary STEMI ED OR 116

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

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." For the same reason, you should not delay coronary angiography because pain resolves with morphine. The case continues. Mukherjee, D.,

E-9-1-1 121

E-9-1-1 ACS Coronary STEMI 121

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

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

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

Posterior leads are unnecessary if anterior leads are diagnostic According to the STEMI paradigm an ECG has to have ST elevation to diagnose acute coronary occlusion, and if there’s no ST elevation on anterior leads you can look for it on posterior leads. Do you need posterior leads? If so, how will they change management?

STEMI 111

STEMI ACS Coronary OR 111

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