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

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 113

STEMI ACS Coronary OR 113

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 15, 2023

Written by Pendell Meyers Both of these cases were sent to me with no information other than adults with acute chest pain. 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).

STEMI 96

STEMI Coronary ACS OR 96

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 111

OR STEMI Coronary ED 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." What would you do at this time with this information? But pain is an important signal in MI and informs the clinician of the urgency.

E-9-1-1 122

E-9-1-1 ACS Coronary STEMI 122

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 107

STEMI Coronary ACS ED 107

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

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. He reports that this chest pain feels different than prior chest pain when he had his STEMI/OMI, but is unable to further describe chest pain. So it can miss some OMI.

Defibrillator 133

Defibrillator Coronary STEMI CPR 133

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 23, 2023

The chest pain started about 24 hours ago, but there was no detailed information available about whether his pain had come and gone, or what prompted him to be evaluated 24 hours after onset. As most would agree, this ECG shows highly specific findings of anterolateral OMI, even with STEMI criteria in this case. Learning Points: 1.

STEMI 93

STEMI Coronary Paramedic OR 93

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 9, 2023

He has a history of STEMI and heart failure. I read this blinded, with no clinical information, and read it as inferior OMI. The Queen of Hearts interprets it blinded also (no clinical information and no previous ECGs or serial ECGs). link] Case continued The conventional algorithm diagnosed STEMI and so did the paramedics.

STEMI 111

STEMI Coronary ED Paramedic 111

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 8, 2024

I was reviewing ECGs for a study, and came across this one, and was able to get all the clinical information: What do you think? She was diagnosed with a Non-STEMI and kept overnight for a next day angiogram. She went to angio and had normal coronaries. Medics recorded the above ECG and called a STEMI alert.

Coronary 71

Coronary STEMI EMS OR 71

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. His response: “subendocardial ischemia.

Coronary 52

Coronary ACS STEMI ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 9, 2023

50% of LAD STEMIs do not have reciprocal findings in inferior leads, and many LAD OMIs instead have STE and/or HATWs in inferior leads instead. The ECG easily meets STEMI criteria in all leads V2-V6, as well. This was sent to me with no information and I immediately replied that it was diagnostic of LAD OMI. Pericarditis?

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI Heart Attack OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 21, 2023

I sent the ECG to Dr. Meyers without any other information. Now let’s compare this with the existing paradigm to identify multiple preventable delays to reperfusion, which can be improved through the paradigm shift from STEMI to OMI. But STEMI criteria has poor sensitivity for acute coronary occlusion.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary EMR EMT 52

REBEL EM

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

We don’t know any of this information unfortunately and all are key in patient selection The median lactate level before revascularization was 6.9mmol/L (Range 4.6 Control: 53.4% D ECLS: 18.2% Control 8.7% Control 38.0% Control: 49.0% RR 0.98; 95% CI 0.80 to 1.19; p = 0.81 vs 13.9% (RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.33 vs 22.6% (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.88

Life Support 137

Life Support Coronary CPR ICU 137

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

JUNE 5, 2023

Any ST Depression Maximal in V1-V4 is OMI until proven otherwise I sent this ECG with no information to Pendell. Here it is: Obvious Inferior Posterior STEMI (+) OMI. Initial troponin was: 3 ng/L We showed that the first troponin in acute STEMI is often negative in at least 27%. We send each other EKG by the dozens every day.

STEMI 83

STEMI Coronary Ambulance ED 83

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 9, 2024

The receiving emergency physician consulted with interventional cardiology who stated there was no STEMI. Learning points: Both patients and other medical providers can report confusing and often contradictory information that obfuscates the diagnosis (in this case, WPW). Serial ECGs enhance the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.

STEMI 88

STEMI Coronary Heart Attack ACS 88

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 29, 2023

But because there was no new ST elevation, the ECG was signed off as “STEMI negative” and the patient waited to be seen. But the ECG still doesn’t meet STEMI criteria. It was therefore interpreted as “no STEMI” and the patient was treated with dual anti-platelets and referred to cardiology as “NSTEMI.” the cardiologist 5.

STEMI 70

STEMI Coronary OR ALS 70

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

This ECG was texted to me with no other information. It does, in fact, the STE meets STEMI criteria since there is 1 mm of in V4 and V5. I assumed the presentation was consistent with acute MI. What did I say? Activate the cath lab." The T-waves in V2-V6 are diagnostic. There is also some non-diagnostic STE in inferior leads.

OR 127

OR STEMI Coronary 127

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 16, 2023

Dr. Singer sent this to me with just the information: "~40 year old with acute chest pain". Here is the Queen of Heart's interpretation: The cath lab had been activated for concern of STEMI. Other outcome information is not available. Emergent CT coronary angio also likely has a role in such cases. Do you have a prior?

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI ED OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 19, 2024

The ED provider ordered a coronary CT scan to assess the patient for CAD. His EKG with worse pain now shows enough ST elevation to meet STEMI criteria. The EKG was read by the conventional computer algorithm as diagnostic of “ACUTE MI/STEMI”. The patient started receiving medications for “STEMI” (including heparin!!!)

STEMI 60

STEMI Coronary CAD ED 60

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

Hospital Course The patient was taken emergently to the cath lab which did not reveal any significant coronary artery disease, but she was noted to have reduced EF consistent with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Such cases are classified as MINOCA (Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructed Coronary Arteries). It can only be seen by IVUS.

Emergency Department 52

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

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 17, 2014

This case was recently posted by Tyron Maartens on Facebook EKG club (he agreed to let me post it here), with the following clinical information: "42 year old male with two weeks of intermittent chest discomfort, awoke 4 hours prior to this ECG with a more severe, heavy chest pain (5/10). Both support acute anterior STEMI. 3.0 = 0.50

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary OR ED 52

The Skeptics' Guide to EM

OCTOBER 22, 2017

The ECG shows an inferior ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). Studies have shown that oxygen can cause vasoconstriction, increase blood pressure and decrease coronary artery blood flow ( Kones et al AM J Med 2011). They felt this would help inform guideline writers on making recommendations in this area.

Emergency Medical Services 130

Emergency Medical Services Coronary ALS STEMI 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 17, 2016

Jason was very skeptical of STEMI. Pretest probability: Especially when there is no Chest pain, or there are very atypical symptoms, one should be very suspicious of the diagnosis of coronary occlusion unless the ECG is crystal clear. This also argues against STEMI. He complained of 3 days of diarrhea and abdominal pain.

STEMI 52

STEMI OR Coronary EMS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

I texted this ECG with no information to Dr. Smith, who immediately said: "If CP, then anterior OMI until proven otherwise." Post Cath ECG: Obviously completing MI with LVA morphology, and STE that meets STEMI criteria (but pt is still diagnosed as "NSTEMI"). No TIMI flow was listed in the report. Am Heart J. 2005;149:1043–1049.

E-9-1-1 78

E-9-1-1 ACS STEMI Coronary 78

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 1, 2023

There’s mild inferior ST elevation in III that doesn’t meet STEMI criteria, but it’s associated with ST depression in aVL and V2 that makes it diagnostic of infero-posterior Occlusion MI (from either RCA or circumflex)– accompanied by inferior Q waves of unknown age. Young people can have acute coronary occlusion.

OR 52

OR STEMI Coronary ACS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 9, 2023

Barely any STE, and thus not meeting STEMI criteria. Annals of Emergency Medicine Cardiology was called to evaluate the patient immediately for emergent cath, but they stated that the ECG did not meet STEMI criteria and elected to wait for further information before proceeding with cath. His initial troponin T returned at 0.03

E-9-1-1 52

E-9-1-1 STEMI Coronary ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 21, 2024

The ECG shows obvious STEMI(+) OMI due to probable proximal LAD occlusion. It shows a proximal LAD occlusion, in conjunction with a subtotally occluded LMCA ( Left Main Coronary Artery ). Information is scarce when it comes to what constitutes a toxic dose. The below ECG was recorded. He was taken immediately to the cath lab.

Defibrillator 118

Defibrillator Coronary ALS STEMI 118

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. The angiogram showed completely normal coronary arteries.

STEMI 123

STEMI ED OR Coronary 123

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 8, 2022

The ECG is diagnostic for acute transmural infarction of the anterior and lateral walls, with LAD OMI being the most likely cause (which has various potential etiologies for the actual cause of the acute coronary artery occlusion, the most common of which is of course type 1 ACS, plaque rupture with thrombotic occlusion). Aspirin 81 mg daily.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary ACS ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 17, 2024

If this EKG were handed to you to screen from triage without any clinical information, what would you think? for those of you who do not do Emergency Medicine, ECGs are handed to us without any clinical context) The ECG was read simply as "No STEMI." What do you think? In fact, Kosuge et al. Accessed May 28, 2024.

E-9-1-1 138

E-9-1-1 ACS Emergency Department Coronary 138

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 6, 2022

I sent this "normal" ECG without any information to a number of ECG enthusiasts, who were all concerned about possible OMI - whether subtle high lateral OMI with inferior reciprocal change, or subtle inferior OMI with high lateral reciprocal change. So this was transient STEMI(-)OMI, not transient STEMI.

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS Coronary OR 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. . == Below is the ECG of Patient #2 — as interpreted by the QOH. The ECG is diagnostic of occlusion myocardial infarction (OMI).

Coronary 90

Coronary OR STEMI EMS 90

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

I don't have any clinical information or any other associated ECGs on this case, but wanted to post it here because it is interesting and it is pathognomonic. BOTTOM LINE: ECG #1 does not satisfy criteria for a “STEMI” — because there is not enough ST elevation. What is it? This is a proximal LAD Occlusion.

STEMI 52

STEMI ALS Coronary OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 23, 2022

Here is his triage ECG: PM Cardio version: With no other information at all, I sent this ECG to Dr. Smith, who replied: "I think it is real. At times — the initial subtle findings simply represent a phase of "pseudo-normalization" that may occur soon after spontaneous reopening of an acutely occluded coronary artery. STD in V4-5 too."

Coronary 52

Coronary Heart Attack ED CPR 52