Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 27, 2024

, tells us that we physicians do not need to even look at this ECG until the patient is placed in a room because the computer says it is normal: Validity of Computer-interpreted “Normal” and “Otherwise Normal” ECG in Emergency Department Triage Patients I reviewed this article for a different journal and recommended rejection and it was rejected.

STEMI 110

STEMI Coronary ACS ED 110

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 116

STEMI Coronary Emergency Department OR 116

ECG Medical Training

SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

He is transported to the Emergency Department where care is transferred to a nurse. At the hospital a 12-lead ECG is recorded within 10 minutes and read by the attending physician, who activates the “Code STEMI” protocol. Is this a STEMI? So technically it is a STEMI equivalent. The answer is yes!

STEMI 52

STEMI Paramedic Coronary Emergency Department 52

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. Diagnosis of Type I vs. Type II Myocardial Infarction in Emergency Department patients with Ischemic Symptoms (abstract 102).

CAD 129

CAD STEMI Coronary ACS 129

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 12, 2024

Written by Bobby Nicholson What do you think of this “STEMI”? A man in his 90s with a history of HTN, CKD, COPD, and OSA presented to the emergency department after being found unresponsive at home. Vital signs were within normal limits on arrival to the Emergency Department. Blood glucose was not low at 162 mg/dL.

STEMI 106

STEMI Coronary Emergency Department OR 106

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 13, 2024

Written by Destiny Folk, MD, Adam Engberg, MD, and Vitaliy Belyshev MD A man in his early 60s with a past medical history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hyperlipidemia presented to the emergency department for evaluation of chest pain. which is concerning for LAD occlusion.

OR 116

OR STEMI Heart Attack Coronary 116

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 17, 2024

Written by Bobby Nicholson, MD 67 year old male with history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented to the Emergency Department via ambulance with midsternal nonradiating chest pain and dyspnea on exertion. Pain improved to 1/10 after EMS administers 324 mg aspirin and the following EKG is obtained at triage. What do you think?

E-9-1-1 141

E-9-1-1 ACS Emergency Department Coronary 141

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 93

STEMI Coronary Paramedic OR 93

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 21, 2023

You can subscribe for news and early access (via participating in our studies) to the Queen of Hearts here: [link] queen-form This EMS ECG was transmitted to the nearby Emergency Department where it was remotely reviewed by a physician, who interpreted it as normal, or at least without any features of ischemia or STEMI.

STEMI 98

STEMI Coronary Defibrillator EMS 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

A 50 year old presented to the emergency department of a remote rural community (where the nearest cath lab is a plane ride away) with one hour of mild chest pain radiating to the back and jaw, and an ECG labeled ‘normal’ by the computer interpretation.

OR 133

OR STEMI Coronary Emergency Department 133

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 26, 2010

He presented to the Emergency Department with a blood pressure of 111/66 and a pulse of 117. He was rushed by residents into our critical care room with a diagnosis of STEMI, and they handed me this ECG: There is sinus tachycardia with ST elevation in II, III, and aVF, as well as V4-V6. He had this ECG recorded.

ACS 52

ACS STEMI OR Critical Care 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

Upon arrival to the emergency department, a senior emergency physician looked at the ECG and said "Nothing too exciting." 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. From Gue at al.

Emergency Department 52

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

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 18, 2014

Thus, this is BOTH an anterior and inferior STEMI in the setting of RBBB. How old is this antero-inferior STEMI? Although acute anterior STEMI frequently has narrow QR-waves within one hour of onset (1. the presence of such well developed, wide, anterior Q-wave suggests completed transmural STEMI. Could it be acute (vs.

STEMI 52

STEMI E-9-1-1 ALS Coronary 52

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 21, 2022

STEMI was activated and the patient went to Cath on arrival. From Smith ECG Blog LCx occlusion There is aVR STE with broad STD, appreciable in both Leads II and V5. Readers interested in a more robust discussion of STD vectors, and their implications in OMI, are encouraged to read this phenomenal post at the Smith ECG Blog.

Coronary 130

Coronary ALS OR ACS 130

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 14, 2022

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). Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 18 (4), 752-760. [2] link] [1] Zachary et al. 2] Costanzo, L.

ACS 130

ACS Paramedic Coronary ALS 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 4, 2024

QOH versions 1 and 2 both say Not OMI, with high confidence, without any clinical context, despite the abnormal STE meeting STEMI criteria. Context: a man in his 40s presented to the emergency department with 1 day of sudden onset chest pain. I sent this to our group without information and Dr. Smith responded: "Not OMI.

STEMI 103

STEMI OR Emergency Department 103

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 19, 2023

Written by Kaley El-Arab MD, edits by Pendell Meyers and Stephen Smith A 61-year-old male with hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented to the emergency department for chest tightness radiating to the back of his neck that has been intermittent for the past day or two. It is true this ECG does not meet STEMI criteria (there is 1.0

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS Coronary Defibrillator 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 9, 2024

Written by Colin Jenkins and Nhu-Nguyen Le with edits by Willy Frick and by Smith A 46-year-old male presented to the emergency department with 2 days of heavy substernal chest pain and nausea. This has been discussed many times before on this blog. In-depth discussion is beyond the scope of this blog. Is there STEMI?

STEMI 92

STEMI Coronary Heart Attack ACS 92

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

A 56 year old male with a history of diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and coronary artery disease presented to the emergency department with sudden onset weakness, fatigue, lethargy, and confusion. At 2111, the troponin I peaked at 12.252 ng/mL (this is in the range of STEMI patients, quite high).

Coronary 116

Coronary STEMI Emergency Department OR 116

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023

This was sent by anonymous The patient is a 55-year-old male who presented to the emergency department after approximately 3 to 4 days of intermittent central boring chest pain initially responsive to nitroglycerin, but is now more constant and not responsive to nitroglycerin. It is unknown when this pain recurred and became constant.

Defibrillator 137

Defibrillator Coronary STEMI CPR 137

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 1, 2024

AslangerE A 65-year-old gentleman presented to the emergency department after experiencing two recent ICD shocks in the preceding hours. As per Dr. Aslanger — a number of medical providers were initial confused by what initially appears as marked ST elevation with reciprocal ST depression, indicative of an acute STEMI.

Coronary 105

Coronary EMR STEMI Emergency Department 105

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Quiz : What percent of full blown STEMI have an open artery with normal flow at angiogram? It too is "normal" and you decide that this is not OMI or STEMI and you just decide to get troponins. I would expect TIMI-3 flow (normal flow, no persistent ischemia) with a culprit in the RCA (or possibly Circumflex). Jesse McLaren et al.

STEMI 88

STEMI Emergency Department OR ALS 88

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 25, 2023

A man in his 60s with a history of severe alcohol use disorder and epidural abscess on long-term ciprofloxacin presented to the emergency department after an episode of syncope while standing in line at a grocery store. Is it STEMI? Written by Sean Trostel MD, peer reviewed by Meyers, Smith, Grauer, etc. What is going on here?

Overdose 120

Overdose OR ACS ICU 120

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 29, 2023

It was ongoing on arrival in the emergency department. But because there was no new ST elevation, the ECG was signed off as “STEMI negative” and the patient waited to be seen. The emergency physician was called to see the patient 90 minutes later after the troponin I returned at 1100 ng/L. What do you think? Take home 1.

STEMI 74

STEMI Coronary OR ALS 74

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 22, 2023

20% of cases that everyone would call a STEMI have a competely open artery by the time of angiogram 60-90 minutes later. PEARL #2: = Aslanger's Pattern: Examples of Aslanger's Pattern appear in a number of cases in Dr. Smith's ECG Blog ( This pattern is very nicely described by Dr. Smith in the January 4, 2021 post).

ED 111

ED Coronary CAD STEMI 111

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 16, 2024

She had this ECG recorded: Obvious massive anterior STEMI She was quickly brought to the critical care area and the cath lab was activated. Here is the ECG at 25 minutes: Terrible LAD STEMI (+) OMI So a CT scan was done which of course showed a normal aorta. This time the Queen of Hearts interpreted: No STEMI or Equivalent.

STEMI 65

STEMI Coronary Critical Care ED 65

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 9, 2023

Sent by anonymous, written by Pendell Meyers A man in his 50s with no prior known medical history presented to the Emergency Department with severe intermittent chest pain. Barely any STE, and thus not meeting STEMI criteria. Only now that the patient has STEMI criteria is he allowed to go to the cath lab, at around 0530.

E-9-1-1 52

E-9-1-1 STEMI Coronary ALS 52

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? aVR ST Segment Elevation: Acute STEMI or Not?

Coronary 52

Coronary ACS STEMI ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 4, 2010

He arrived in the emergency department hemodynamically stable. Thus, this patient had increased ST elevation (current of injury) superimposed on the ST elevation of LVH and simulating STEMI. He was resuscitated with chest compressions and defibrillation and 1 mg of epinephrine. His initial ECG is shown here.

ACS 52

ACS Defibrillator Epinephrine STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 20, 2023

I finished my residency of Emergency Medicine and I’m working at a great Emergency Department here in Brazil. Since then, I started looking for OMI EKG findings and not just STEMI. So, I'm a follower of your blog, and I think I have a interesting case that I attended yesterday."

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS CAD ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 18, 2013

His ECG was repeated at this point: This shows a well developed anterior STEMI. To not see these findings is very common, and this patient would be given the diagnosis of NonSTEMI, with subsequent development of STEMI. It is not a missed STEMI, but it is a missed coronary occlusion. Ann Emerg Med 1998;31(1):3-11.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary ALS CAD 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 26, 2015

52-year-old lady presents to the Emergency Department with 2 hours of chest pain, palpitations & SOB. These elevations meet STEMI criteria ( ≥ 1mm in 2 contiguous leads). In STEMI, they are generally upright and large in proportion to the QRS. So this argues against acute STEMI. This case is tough.

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS Emergency Department OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 26, 2020

Is this inferor STEMI? Atrial Flutter with Inferior STEMI? Inferolateral ST elevation, vomiting, and elevated troponin The treating team did not identify the flutter waves and they became worried about possible "STEMI" (despite the unusual clinical scenario). The EM provider asked if the cardiologist thought it was a "STEMI."

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS Coronary Emergency Department 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 14, 2022

I am going to code this as an acute STEMI as he had transient ST elevation which started to evolve in the emergency department but I think this is most appropriately termed STEMI." When is it anterior STEMI? Next day ECG: 2 Very instructive posts on LVH and OMI and Pseudo-OMI 1. Is this Acute Ischemia?

EMS 52

EMS STEMI ED Emergency Department 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 17, 2023

The remainder of his Emergency Department stay was uneventful. The Queen of Hearts correctly says: Smith : Why is this ECG which manifests so much ST Elevation NOT a STEMI (even if it were a 60 year old with chest pain)? Physician interpretation: "No STEMI." Physician: "No STEMI." He had no symptoms of ACS.

OR 52

OR STEMI ACS Emergency Department 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 9, 2019

When total LM occlusion does present with STE in aVR, there is ALWAYS ST Elevation elsewhere which makes STEMI obvious; in other words, STE is never limited to only aVR but instead it is part of a massive and usually obvious STEMI. All are, however, clearly massive STEMI. This is her ECG: An obvious STEMI, but which artery?

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI ACS ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 15, 2013

This was a male in his 50's with a history of hypertension and possible diabetes mellitus who presented to the emergency department with a history of squeezing chest pain, lasting 5 minutes at a time, with several episodes over the past couple of months. New ST elevation diagnostic of STEMI [equation value = 25.3

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI ALS Emergency Department 52