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"Non-STEMI" is a worthless term.

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

A 60 yo with 2 previous inferior (RCA) STEMIs, stented, called 911 for one hour of chest pain. Here is his most recent previous ECG: This was recorded after intervention for inferior STEMI (with massive ST Elevation, see below), and shows inferior Q-waves with T-wave inversion typical of completed inferior OMI. ng/mL (quite large).

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ECG Pointers: STEMI Equivalents from the American College of Cardiology

EMDocs

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.

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Acute chest pain, right bundle branch block, no STEMI criteria, and negative initial troponin.

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

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.

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What makes a T-wave Hyperacute? And: 30 Examples of Hyperacute T-waves, 10 in each of 3 myocardial territories.

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

Doing so literally enables those of us who embrace the OMI Paradigm the ability to recognize within seconds that a patient with new CP ( C hest P ain ) — and — one or more hyperacute T waves — needs prompt cath regardless of potential absence of STEMI criteria. The early HATW model correctly identifies the HATWs in the inferior leads.

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Chest pain and a computer ‘normal’ ECG. Therefore, there is no need for a physician to look at this ECG.

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

So this NSTEMI was likely a STEMI(-)OMI with delayed reperfusion. The patient was admitted as ‘NSTEMI’ which is supposed to represent a non-occlusive MI, but the underlying pathophysiology is analogous to a transient STEMI. See these posts: Chest Pain, ST Elevation, and an Elevated Troponin: Should we Activate the Cath Lab?

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What happened after the Cath lab was activated for a chest pain patient with this ECG?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

I simply texted back: "Definite posterior OMI." The person I was texting knows implicitly based on our experience together that I mean "Definite posterior OMI, assuming the patient's clinical presentation is consistent with ACS." The patient was a middle-aged female who had acute chest pain of approximately 6 hours duration.

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Two ECGs texted to me in the same hour. What would you recommend?

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

I sent this ECG to the Queen of Hearts (PMcardio OMI), and here is the verdict: You can subscribe for news and early access (via participating in our studies) to the Queen of Hearts here: [link] queen-form Then I learned that a Code STEMI was activated for concern of anterior "STEMI" in V1-V2. High sensitivity troponin I was 23 ng/L.

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