Emergency Medicine Cases

MAY 10, 2023

In this ECG Cases blog we look at 10 cases of patients with chest pain, including false positive STEMI, false negative STEMI, and other causes to help hone your ECG interpretation skills in time-sensitive cases where those very ECG skills might save a life.

STEMI 130

STEMI EMS 130

Emergency Medicine Cases

MARCH 10, 2020

10 patients presented with the "STEMI-equivalent" ST elevation in aVR with diffuse ST depression. Jesse McLaren guides us through the differential diagnosis of ST elevation in aVR with diffuse ST depression in this ECG Cases blog. The post ECG cases 7: ST elevation in aVR, STEMI-equivalent? Which had acute coronary occlusion?

STEMI 130

STEMI Coronary EMS 130

EMDocs

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Traditionally, emergency providers looked for signs of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to indicate the need for intervention. Emergency physicians have recognized for some time that there are many occlusions of the coronary arteries that do not present with classic STEMI criteria on the ECG.

STEMI 109

STEMI Coronary Emergency Department OR 109

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. The post ECG Cases 4: Lateral STEMI or Occlusion MI? Which had acute coronary occlusion? Introducing the concept of Occlusion MI - a paradigm shift in ECG diagnosis of MI.

STEMI 130

STEMI OR Coronary 130

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. In non-PCI-capable hospitals this goal is not always achievable due to delays in transfer. In these cases, thrombolysis is recommended to improve morbidity and mortality. Primary PCI: 95.7%

STEMI 138

STEMI Allergic Reaction Coronary Ambulance 138

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

Emergency Medicine Cases

JUNE 6, 2023

In this ECG Cases blog we look at 10 patients with shortness of breath, and discuss how the ECG can be used to help diagnose cardiac, respiratory and metabolic emergencies.

STEMI 241

STEMI EMS 241

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

The paramedic called the EM physician ahead of arrival and discussed the case and ECGs, and both agreed upon activating "Code STEMI" (even though of course it is not STEMI by definition), so that the acute LAD occlusion could be treated as fast as possible. So the cath lab was activated. Long term outcome is unavailable.

STEMI 119

STEMI EMS ACS ED 119

Emergency Medicine Cases

AUGUST 8, 2023

In this ECG Cases blog with Dr. Jesse McLaren we interpret 10 ECG cases and explore cardiac, metabolic and GI causes: We consider anginal equivalents, and look for ECG signs of Occlusion MI, including subacute occlusion from delayed presentations.

STEMI 205

STEMI OR EMS 205

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 3, 2024

Interpretation : diagnostic of acute anterior OMI with STE less than STEMI criteria in V1-V4, hyperacute T waves in V2-V4, and suspiciously flat isoelectric ST segments in III and aVF suspicious for reciprocal findings. Now it even meets STEMI criteria, and HATWs continue to inflate. So the cath lab was not activated. Ongoing OMI.

STEMI 87

STEMI EMS ED OR 87

Emergency Medicine Cases

JUNE 21, 2022

In this ECG Cases blog we review 8 cases of patients with prehospital ECGs and explore prehospital ECGs for diagnosing STEMI, Occlusion MI, false STEMI, code STEMI, dynamic ischemic changes, truncated voltages. Can you avoid the pitfalls and spot the pearls that help to make the diagnosis?

STEMI 130

STEMI Paramedic EMS 130

Emergency Medicine Cases

DECEMBER 20, 2022

Jesse McLaren discusses some key aspects of cocaine chest pain ECG interpretation in this month's blog including: Patients with cocaine-associated chest pain require benzodiazepines +/- nitroglycerine for symptom relief, aspirin and ECG to look for signs of occlusion and reperfusion.

STEMI 130

STEMI EMS 130

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. So this is acute OMI. What does the Queen of Hearts say? (Dr. Lufkin did not need her) OMI with High Confidence Click here to sign up for Queen of Hearts Access.

STEMI 108

STEMI Coronary 108

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 5, 2023

Beyond STEMI: Diagnosing Acute Coronary Occlusion on the ECG. The Queen of Hearts AI app can do it for you. With explainability too.

Coronary 132

Coronary STEMI 132

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". Pt received 324 ASA and 2 sprays of nitro with improvement. Cath lab was activated by EMS and transported emergent." Further events: The patient continued to have pain and an NTG drip was started. Pain was decreased to 2/10.

STEMI 119

STEMI ED Coronary EMS 119

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 21, 2023

ECG met STEMI criteria and was labeled STEMI by computer interpretation. J waves can also be induced by Occlusion MI (5), STEMI mimics including takotsubo and myocarditis complicated by ventricular arrhythmias (6, 7), and subarachnoid hemorrhage with VF (8). Take home : Not all STEs are STEMIs or OMIs. What do you think?

STEMI 52

STEMI ALS EMS OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 28, 2020

This ECG was texted to me with the implied question "Is this a STEMI?": I responded that it is unlikely to be a STEMI. Septal STEMI often has ST depression in V5, V6, reciprocal to V1. Then combine with clinical presentation and low pretest probability 2 Saddleback STEMIs A Very Subtle LAD Occlusion.T-wave wave in V1??

STEMI 52

STEMI OR ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 9, 2024

Despite anticipation by many that the initial post-resuscitation ECG will show an obvious acute infarction — this expected "STEMI picture" is often not seen. Meyers and Smith in the October 15, 2022 post of Dr. Smith's ECG Blog ). Restoration of sinus rhythm is evident in Figure-1.

Defibrillator 107

Defibrillator STEMI CPR EMS 107

REBEL EM

JULY 5, 2023

If it looks and feels like a STEMI clinically, get serial ECGs and consult Cardiology immediately. Post Created By: William Caputo MD Post Peer Reviewed By: Anand Swaminathan MD, MPH (Twitter @EMSwami ) The post REBEL Core Cast 104.0 – Subtle ECGs in Acute Coronary Occlusion appeared first on REBEL EM - Emergency Medicine Blog.

Coronary 144

Coronary STEMI EMS ED 144

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

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

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 120

STEMI Coronary ALS CAD 120

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 4, 2024

Unknown algorithm The Queen gets it right Case 4 How unreliable are computer algorithms in the Diagnosis of STEMI? The patient's prehospital ECG showed that there was massive STEMI and these are hyperacute T-waves "on the way down" as they normalize. Pain was resolving. Diagnosed as Normal by the computer. Troponin negative.

STEMI 115

STEMI OR ED ALS 115

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 86

STEMI Coronary ACS OR 86

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

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 132

STEMI Coronary 132

Emergency Medicine Cases

MAY 18, 2020

Seven patients with ischemic symptoms, none meeting STEMI criteria but all identified by a specific pattern of first diagonal branch occlusion are explored in this ECG Cases blog with Jesse MacLaren who also explains The South African Flag Sign.

STEMI 130

STEMI EMS 130

Emergency Medicine Cases

FEBRUARY 11, 2020

In this ECG Cases blog we look at 8 patients with potentially ischemic symptoms, none of whom had STEMI on the 12 lead ECG. Which had occlusion MI? The post ECG cases 6: Posterior MI – Still Under-recognized appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.

STEMI 130

STEMI EMS 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 22, 2022

Take home messages: 1- In STEMI/NSTEMI paradigm you search for STE on ECG. If this patient was managed according to the STEMI/NSTEMI paradigm (although he would be a candidate for early invasive treatment), he would probably be taken to the cath lab hours later. Here is the post-intervention angiogram and post-PCI ECG. 2021.21026.

STEMI 52

STEMI EMR Coronary OR 52

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.

STEMI 130

STEMI Coronary OR EMS 130

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 Queen of Hearts sees it of course: Still none of these three ECGs meet STEMI criteria. Do you think we discussed this patient's 2-3 hour delay to reperfusion in our quarterly "STEMI meeting"?

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS Coronary Defibrillator 52

Emergency Medicine Cases

APRIL 2, 2024

In this ECG Cases blog, Jesse McLaren and Rajiv Thavanathan explore how ECG and POCUS complement each other for patients presenting to the emergency department with shortness of breath or chest pain. They explain complementary diagnostic insights into pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade, occlusion MI and RV strain.

Emergency Department 307

Emergency Department OR STEMI EMS 307

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 16, 2024

Its hard to measure the STE in I exactly with the moving baseline, but there is almost certainly not enough STE to meet STEMI criteria. The ACC recognizes these findings as formal STEMI equivalents (though they do not define how to find them). They are symmetric, fat, convex on both sides, etc.

STEMI 106

STEMI OR 106

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. Vitals were normal except for oxygen saturation of 94%. Vitals were normal.

STEMI 73

STEMI Paramedic Coronary ED 73

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 113

STEMI Coronary Emergency Department OR 113

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 121

STEMI Coronary ALS Emergency Department 121

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 2, 2024

This was a machine read STEMI positive OMI. Readers of this blog can easily appreciate the hyperacute T waves in the precordium, clearest in V1-V4. 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.

STEMI 114

STEMI ALS OR 114