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. Confirmation of sinus tachycardia should be easy to verify when the heart rate slows a little bit ( as the patient's condition improves ) — allowing clearer definition between the T and P waves. And what do you want to do?

Defibrillator 110

Defibrillator Coronary Epinephrine ACS 110

EMDocs

DECEMBER 11, 2023

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. This included the addition several new STEMI equivalents [4] on ECG that warrant “prompt evaluation for emergency coronary angiography.”

STEMI 111

STEMI Coronary Emergency Department OR 111

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 the patient had a transient acute coronary occlusion that spontaneously reperfused but is at risk for reocclusion.

STEMI 102

STEMI Coronary ACS ED 102

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." A repeat troponin returned at 0.45 CAD-RADS category 1. --No

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI CAD OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023

More past history: hypertension, tobacco use, coronary artery disease with two vessel PCI to the right coronary artery and circumflex artery several years prior. Suppose the OMI had been recognized, or suppose another ECG had been recorded and it showed definite OMI. It is unknown when this pain recurred and became constant.

Defibrillator 131

Defibrillator Coronary STEMI CPR 131

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 27, 2023

Note that as many as 7% of patients with acute coronary syndrome have chest pain reproducible on palpation [Lee, Solomon]. which reduces the pre-test probability of acute coronary syndrome by less than 30% [McGee]. In an attempt to clarify language, a consensus definition was developed. per 100,000 to 11 per 100,000 [Rosso].

E-9-1-1 117

E-9-1-1 OR Coronary ACS 117

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 2, 2022

He reported a history of ischemic cardiomyopathy with coronary stent placement approximately 10 years prior, but could not recall the specific artery involved. 1, 2] The most clinically useful definition to account for this entire constellation is intraventricular conduction delay. Attached is the first ECG. Isn’t VT ALWAYS “wide”?

ALS 130

ALS STEMI Coronary OR 130

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-9-1-1 119

E-9-1-1 Coronary ACS BLS 119

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

What lowered my confidence in calling ECG #1 a definite OMI — was the finding of somewhat similar-appearing , upright T waves with slight-but-real J-point ST elevation in so many leads ( ie, leads I,II,aVF; V2-thru-V6 ). Once I identified leads V4 and V5 as definitely abnormal — I looked closer at neighboring leads.

OR 124

OR STEMI Coronary 124

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 9, 2024

Before the lab values returned this patient had a n emergent coronary CT angiogram done that ruled out CAD. A false positive cath lab activation is also off course acceptable for this diagnosis if you cannot get an emergent coronary CT angiogram. Each main coronary artery (LAD, RCA and LCx) are shown in separate images.

Coronary 90

Coronary CAD ACS OR 90

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 15, 2023

Thus, this does NOT meet STEMI criteria (though, as of 2022, it is a formal "STEMI equivalent", assuming everyone agrees that this is de Winter morphology, for which there is currently no objective definition). Even if a patient's ECG does meet STEMI criteria, it may not be perceived so. What a farce.

STEMI 90

STEMI Coronary ACS OR 90

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 24, 2018

Therefore, this does not meet the definition of myocardial infarction ( 4th Universal Definition of MI ), which requires at least one troponin above the 99% reference range. You can see the deficiency of the definition of MI. Two negative troponins do not exclude the possibility of short-lived acute coronary occlusion.

E-9-1-1 40

E-9-1-1 STEMI ACS Coronary 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

Thanks in part to rapid bedside diagnosis, the patient was able to avoid emergent coronary angiography. Consider the following: We become attuned to looking for acute coronary occlusion in patients who present with acute symptoms to the ED ( E mergency D epartment ).

E-9-1-1 115

E-9-1-1 Coronary STEMI ALS 115

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 6, 2011

Thus, there are some suspicious abnormalities, but no definite signs of ischemia. But the definition misses the point. It is a coronary occlusion with a substantial myocardial territory at risk, that showed only very subtle ST changes. There are thin and normal inferior Q-waves. It is very subtle but real.

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI ED OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 18, 2023

When I saw the ECG of this patient I saw that there was definitely something "off". The patient was referred for coronary angiography which did not reveal any atherosclerotic changes. A formal echo at the PCI center after coronary angiography revealed a large septal and apical WMA. Troponin I peaked at 769 ng/L.

Defibrillator 105

Defibrillator Advanced Life Support Coronary Life Support 105

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 11, 2024

Finally — there is the clinical reality that a patient who has a "baseline" ECG that manifests a repolarization variant — may at some point develop acute coronary occlusion that in part is masked by benign-appearing ECG characteristics of the underlying repolarization variant. It is clearly missed by the conventional algorithm.

STEMI 112

STEMI Coronary Emergency Department OR 112

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 17, 2024

Although radiation into the left arm is most classic for coronary ischemia, radiation into both arms is actually modestly more predictive ). Answer: This is MINOCA -- Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries. His troponin peaked at 10.310 ng/mL and trended down. The name is self-explanatory.

Coronary 75

Coronary OR 75

EMS 12-Lead

AUGUST 22, 2022

They are not premature, by definition. The coronary angiogram revealed no critical stenosis, or acute plaque ulceration. Takotsubo should be a diagnosis of exclusion after angiography reveals no obstructive coronary disease, and repeat Echo displays left ventricular recovery. Furthermore, pertinent electrolyte values (e.g.

E-9-1-1 130

E-9-1-1 Coronary ALS ICU 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024

Although predicting the "culprit" artery of acute coronary occlusion is often straightforward ( ie, based on the distribution of leads with ST elevation and leads with reciprocal ST depression ) — this is not always the case. See Discussion in the June 29, 2024 post of Dr. Smith' ECG Blog ). The April 8, 2022 post by Drs.

STEMI 93

STEMI Coronary Defibrillator OR 93

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. This is another case sent by the undergraduate (who is applying to med school) who works as an EKG tech. No ECG was ordered on Day #1.

Coronary 108

Coronary STEMI Emergency Department OR 108

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 9, 2024

However , this patient is having chest discomfort, and by definition then she should be considered not to be stable. The patient is an older woman with known coronary disease and an ICD-Pacemaker implanted because of a history of VT ( V entricular T achycardia ). Is this: 1. Figure-1: I have labeled the initial ECG in today's case. (

Coronary 99

Coronary ACS ED OR 99

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 22, 2024

The coronary angiography showed a 100% ostial main (obtuse) marginal occlusion!" Dominant right coronary, atherosclerotic and calcified. Presence of a single coronary lesion: occlusion of the ostial main marginal. ECG #1 — shows such subtle but-definitely-present changes in multiple leads: The rhythm is sinus at 80-85/minute.

Coronary 70

Coronary STEMI OR ALS 70

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

As per Dr. McLaren — today's patient was lucky in that the acute coronary occlusion spontaneously reperfused — and the patient remained pain-free. The Need for Immediate Transport? Limb lead findings in ECG #2 look more hyperacute than they did in ECG #1 — because of subtle-but-real increased ST segment straightening in leads I, III and aVL.

OR 129

OR STEMI Coronary Emergency Department 129

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 21, 2024

It shows a proximal LAD occlusion, in conjunction with a subtotally occluded LMCA ( Left Main Coronary Artery ). Upon contrast injection of the LMCA, the patient deteriorated, as the LMCA was severely diseased and flow to all coronary arteries ( LAD, LCx and RCA ) was compromised. There is no definite evidence of acute ischemia. (ie,

Defibrillator 113

Defibrillator Coronary ALS STEMI 113

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 22, 2023

Angiogram: Severe two-vessel coronary artery disease with possible co-culprits (90% proximal circumflex, 70% mid/distal RCA) in the setting of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Marked ST depression from multi-vessel coronary disease serves to attentuate what would have been ST elevation in leads II and aVF ).

ED 103

ED Coronary CAD STEMI 103

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 3, 2024

See the variety of Left Main Occlusion ECGs here: How does Acute Total Left Main Coronary occlusion present on the ECG? == MY Comment , by K EN G RAUER, MD ( 5/3 /2024 ): == Most patients with acute LMain Occlusion do not survive to make it to the hospital. Left Main Non-Occlusive ACS presents with widespread ST Depression and STE in aVR.

ACS 114

ACS ED Coronary EMS 114

ACEP Now

JULY 7, 2023

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation Of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest presenting to the ED in refractory VF, a majority have significant coronary artery disease, much of which is amenable to percutaneous coronary intervention. Circulation. 2019;139(12):e530-e552. Yannopoulos D, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol.

Defibrillator 98

Defibrillator OR ALS Epinephrine 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 12, 2023

There is maybe no definite answer and arguments can be made for the different scenarios. An MRi was not done for this patient and a definite answer maybe cannot be obtained. with the important message that sometimes ( especially in retrospect! ) — a definite diagnosis can not be made. There is reconstitution of R waves V3-V6.

Coronary 103

Coronary OR ED 103

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 31, 2020

Yet despite this remarkable flaw in the STEMI-paradigm — a substantial number ( if not a frank majority ) of clinicians continue to apply outdated criteria when interpreting ECGs, by refusing to consider prompt cath for definitive diagnosis and reperfusion therapy just because a millimeter-based definition for acute STEMI is not satisfied.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary EMR 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. Only after troponin returned elevated was an Echo was done, revealing a definite wall motion abnormality.

Coronary 84

Coronary OR STEMI EMS 84

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 8, 2024

She went to angio and had normal coronaries. No d-dimer or CT pulmonary angiogram was done when they discovered that she had normal coronary arteries. Think of this diagnosis when a patient with CP and SOB + elevated troponin — has normal coronary arteries on cardiac cath. I discussed all results with patient.

Coronary 75

Coronary STEMI EMS OR 75

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 19, 2020

Angiography showed normal coronaries. A followup ECG was recorded 2 days later: No definite evidence of infarction. MINOCA: Myocardial Infarction in the Absence of Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease). Here is my comment on MINOCA: "Non-obstructive coronary disease" does not necessarily imply "no plaque rupture with thrombus."

Defibrillator 52

Defibrillator CPR Coronary CAD 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 5, 2023

Aside on ECG Research: 20% of Definite diagnostic STEMI (Cox et al.) have perfect coronary flow by the time of angiogram. Serial tracings often show “ dynamic ” ST-T wave changes — which in a patient with CP, allow prompt definitive diagnosis that might not have been obvious with just a single tracing.

STEMI 75

STEMI Coronary ED Ambulance 75

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

When Pendell and I are coding ECGs for the Queen's training, this is one category: "Definite ischemia, difficult to differentiate between posterior OMI and subendocardial ischemia." The De Winter ECG pattern: morphology and accuracy for diagnosing acute coronary occlusion: systematic review. 2009;95:1701–1706. Morris N, Body R.

ACS 87

ACS Coronary ALS CAD 87

REBEL EM

JANUARY 29, 2024

What They Did: Single-center, pilot prospective observational cohort trial in Turkey Thrombolysis 25mg of alteplase without a bolus was administered over 6 hours by peripheral IV infusion If hemodynamic instability persisted despite first dose of thrombolysis, a second 6hr infusion of 25mg alteplase without bolus was administered (No patients in the (..)

ALS 136

ALS ACS OR CPR 136

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 9, 2024

Serial ECGs enhance the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. Although recognition of OMI was not affected by administration of morphine in this case, use caution with analgesia in ongoing ACS without a definitive plan for angiography. Although tiny in size — the BLUE arrows highlight definite ST elevation in leads I and aVL.

STEMI 86

STEMI Coronary Heart Attack ACS 86

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