Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 17, 2016

Jason was very skeptical of STEMI. This also argues against STEMI. KEY POINTS from this CASE: The presenting history often provides invaluable clues to the likelihood of an acute cardiac event. ( This is a "low prevalence" history for an acute cardiac event.). He complained of 3 days of diarrhea and abdominal pain.

STEMI 52

STEMI OR Coronary EMS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

[link] Case continued She arrived in the ED and here is the first ED ECG. Even in patients whose moderate stenosis undergoes thrombosis, most angiograms show greater than 50% stenosis after the event. See "Prevention of cardiovascular disease events in those with established disease (secondary prevention) or at very high risk".)

Coronary 109

Coronary E-9-1-1 STEMI ACS 109

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 5, 2023

Here is his initial ED ECG: What do you think? Here it is: Obvious Inferior Posterior STEMI (+) OMI. Then the ED doc would be dependent on that first ECG. Initial troponin was: 3 ng/L We showed that the first troponin in acute STEMI is often negative in at least 27%. Or had not had a prehospital ECG on the ambulance.

STEMI 96

STEMI Coronary ED Ambulance 96

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 27, 2024

Here was his initial ED ECG: Formal interpretation by interventional cardiologist: There is "Non-diagnostic" ST Elevation in V2-V4 and aVL. COACT: The COACT trial was fatally flawed, and because of it, many cardiologists are convinced that if there are no STEMI criteria, the patient does not need to go to the cath lab.

Defibrillator 113

Defibrillator STEMI Coronary ALS 113

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 2, 2019

They wanted to know if I would like them to activate the outside hospital's "STEMI alert." But of course, this is not a STEMI by definition as it does not meet STEMI criteria. The STEMI guidelines do state that hyperacute T-waves "may indicate early acute myocardial infarction" but do not discuss it as a "STEMI equivalent."

STEMI 52

STEMI ALS ED OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 8, 2024

Subtle as a STEMI." (i.e., Here is the bottom line of the article: It is widely believed that hyperacute T-waves are a transitional state preceding ST Elevation 1–4 Thus, it is tempting to postulate that early cases of OMI will eventually evolve to STEMI; yet, our data contradicts that notion. This one is easy for the Queen.

OR 122

OR STEMI ICU Coronary 122

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 22, 2024

It was present on arrival at triage but then resolved before bed placement in the ED. Patient still not having chest pain however this is more concerning for OMI/STEMI. Wellens' syndrome is a syndrome of Transient OMI (old terminology would be transient STEMI). It is a ssociated with mild dyspnea on exertion. Aspirin given.

Coronary 117

Coronary STEMI ED OR 117

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

AUGUST 19, 2023

Written by Jesse McLaren A 75 year-old patient with diabetes and end stage renal disease was sent to the ED after dialysis for three days of nausea, vomiting, loose stool, lightheadedness and fatigue. They were less likely to have STEMI on ECG, and more likely to be initially diagnosed as non-ACS. RR18 sat 99% HR 90 BP 90/60, afebrile.

STEMI 98

STEMI ACS OR ALS 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024

ECG 1 at time zero EARLY REPOLARIZATION ABNORMAL ECG ED final official overread: "early repol vs hyperacute T, minimal changes from previous (previous shown below)" What do YOU think? Smith : there is some minimal ST elevation in V2-V6, but does not meet STEMI criteria. Is it normal STE? This is a "Transient OMI".

STEMI 115

STEMI ACS Critical Care Coronary 115

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

male presents to the ED at 6:45 AM with left sided chest dull pressure that woke him up from sleep at 3am. He arrived to the ED at around 6:45am, and stated the pain has persisted. Here is his ED ECG at triage: Obvious high lateral OMI that does not quite meet STEMI criteria. The pain radiated to both shoulders.

Coronary 121

Coronary ACS OR EMR 121

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023

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. Sensitivity was 87% for OMI in our validation study (it was 34% for STEMI criteria). But I'd be less certain about an acute event without more information and prior and/or serial tracings.

Defibrillator 135

Defibrillator Coronary STEMI CPR 135

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 11, 2023

The neighbor recorded a systolic blood pressure again above 200 mm Hg and advised her to come to the ED to address her symptoms. 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."

E-9-1-1 123

E-9-1-1 ACS Coronary STEMI 123

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 8, 2019

This algorithm called it a STEMI. Yet it gave a diagnosis of STEMI. This is, in effect, a transient STEMI 2. See the learning points in that case == Comment by K EN G RAUER, MD ( 3/8/2019 ): == Superb teaching case presented by Dr. Smith regarding this middle-aged man who was transported to the ED after new-onset chest pain.

ED 52

ED STEMI ACS OR 52

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

JULY 22, 2023

An ECG was performed in the ED at 1554: Original image unavailable, this is the only recorded scanned ECG available. A prior ECG from 1 month ago was available: The presentation ECG was interpreted as STEMI and the patient was transferred emergently to the nearest PCI center. He denied chest pain or shortness of breath.

E-9-1-1 92

E-9-1-1 CAD OR STEMI 92

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 22, 2024

He reported typical chest pain since 4H AM and arrived at our ED at 10h with ongoing chest pain. Unfortunately, the cardiologist waited until the next day to refer the patient for angiography and intervention because patient did not meet criteria for "STEMI"." The first ECG (10h14) showed TWI in inferior leads."

Coronary 66

Coronary STEMI OR ALS 66

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 15, 2023

Prior episodes had simply resolved after brief symptoms, but the current episode had lasted for 2 hours without improvement, so she presented to the ED. At triage she stated her pain is still persistent, but it is mildly improved compared to when she decided to come to the ED. No diaphoresis or vomiting.

ACS 116

ACS ED STEMI OR 116

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

Post Cath ECG: Obviously completing MI with LVA morphology, and STE that meets STEMI criteria (but pt is still diagnosed as "NSTEMI"). Day 12 ECG: FINAL DIAGNOSIS: "NSTEMI" Despite the fact that his day 4 ECG easily meets STEMI criteria, the patient is diagnosed as NSTEMI. Setting – large, academic, suburban ED.

E-9-1-1 78

E-9-1-1 ACS STEMI Coronary 78

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

A 50-something male had onset of chest pain 1 hour prior to ED arrival. It was tested on a large database of known outcomes and was more than twice as senstivity as STEMI criteria and much better than cardiologists. The single lead that immediately alerted me to the likelihood of an acute event — was lead V1.

STEMI 128

STEMI Critical Care OR ED 128

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 29, 2015

Case history A middle-aged woman with a history of HTN, but no prior CAD, presented to the ED with chest pain. would require the ST/S ratio to be 25% for diagnosis of STEMI in LVH. The physician was concerned about STEMI, but also worried that she was overreacting, with the potential that LVH was producing a "STEMI-mimic."

STEMI 40

STEMI Coronary ALS CAD 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 19, 2019

He still had active pain on arrival to the ED. This morphology can be cause by or associated with cocaine: A Patient with Cocaine Chest Pain and Prehospital Computer interpretation of STEMI This is OMI of the anterior, lateral, and inferior walls until proven otherwise. His initial ECG in the ED ( = E CG # 1 ) is shown in Figure-1.

STEMI 52

STEMI ED ACS OR 52

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 2, 2022

Figure 1-1 My colleague, a faithful student of ECG interpretation, handed me the tracing and said that it warranted STEMI activation because of apparent terminal QRS distortion (TQRSD) in V2. Whether this represents a potential acute cardiac event would depend on the history, comparison with prior tracings and serial tracings.

ALS 130

ALS STEMI Coronary OR 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 3, 2010

He subsequently had a syncopal event and was down for 1-2 minutes. Upon arrival to the ED, he had the following 12-lead ECG: There is striking ST segment elevation in V1 and V2, with ST depression in V3-V6 as well as I, II, and aVF. His wife called 911. EMS found him with an irregular heart rate at 200-250 beats per minute.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary EMS ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 19, 2020

There is STE in III and aVF which does not meet STEMI criteria due to insufficient STE in lead aVF. On arrival in the ED, she was profoundly hypotensive, nearly obtunded, and bradycardic. The ED team again pointed out the evidence of inferoposterior OMI, this time by the modified Sgarbossa criteria. The cath lab was activated.

E-9-1-1 52

E-9-1-1 STEMI ED EMS 52

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 25, 2024

At 2111, the troponin I peaked at 12.252 ng/mL (this is in the range of STEMI patients, quite high). Consider the scenario in today's CASE: This 56-year old man with risk factors including diabetes and known coronary disease — presented to the ED on Day #1 with new weakness , fatigue , lethargy and confusion.

Coronary 120

Coronary STEMI Emergency Department OR 120

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 26, 2020

An ECG was recorded quickly on return to the ED: (sorry for poor quality, cannot get originals) What do you think? Is this inferor STEMI? Atrial Flutter with Inferior STEMI? The EM provider asked if the cardiologist thought it was a "STEMI." No obvious adverse events were attributed to the thrombolytics.

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS Coronary Emergency Department 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

FEBRUARY 4, 2023

Jason was very skeptical of STEMI. This also argues against STEMI. Look for old ECGs Do serial ECGs Do echocardiography June 17, 2016 Anterior STEMI? KEY POINTS from this CASE: The presenting history often provides invaluable clues to the likelihood of an acute cardiac event. ( What do you think? Jason, I agree.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary EMS ED 52

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. Are there any signs of occlusion or reperfusion?

OR 52

OR STEMI Coronary ACS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 19, 2023

That's because this patient has clinical, ECG and Troponin evidence that an acute event did in fact occur ( ie, a more than doubling of Troponin in the context of a changing pattern of CP that correlates temporally with "dynamic" ECG changes — therefore strongly suggesting transient acute occlusion regardless of cath findings in today's case ).

E-9-1-1 127

E-9-1-1 Coronary ACS BLS 127

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 31, 2023

This was marked as "Not a STEMI" by the physicians. It is not a STEMI, but it is diagnostic of an LAD OMI (Occlusion MI). has outperformed many cardiologists in its ability to recognize with "high confidence" acute OMIs from ECGs not satisfying STEMI-criteria. This was sent to me by a friend.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary OR ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Submitted by Dr. George Mastoras (Twitter @georgemastoras), written by Jesse McLaren It’s a busy day in the ED when you’re sent another ECG to sign off from a patient at triage. As per Dr. McLaren — the above demographic for today's patient is typical for a much higher-prevalence group for having SCAD as the cause of their acute event.

OR 66

OR STEMI ACS Coronary 66

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 1, 2022

While not essential for making the "correct clinical decision" ( which would have been prompt cath performed much sooner than it was ) — I thought serial ECGs did reveal important clues to the ongoing event. Figure-1: I've labeled the 1st, 2nd and 4th tracings in today's case ( See text ).

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary OR ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 22, 2022

The HEART and EDACS scores are helpful to risk stratify patients with chest pain, but they hinge on accurate ECG interpretation: a low score doesn’t apply if the ECG shows STEMI(+)OMI, and shouldn’t be used for STEMI(-)OMI or OMI reperfusion either 2. McLaren and Smith — the initial ECG in Case #1 shows that an event did occur.

E-9-1-1 52

E-9-1-1 STEMI ALS ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 16, 2023

Here is the Queen of Heart's interpretation: The cath lab had been activated for concern of STEMI. Learning Points: This is one of many examples of false positive STEMI criteria, which is distinguishable by expert humans, and now by AI such as QOH. No prior ECG was available.

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI ED OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 15, 2013

It was worse on the evening prior to presentation while lying in bed, then recurred and resolved while at rest just prior to arriving in the ED. Here is the first ED ECG, with no pain: Sinus rhythm. New ST elevation diagnostic of STEMI [equation value = 25.3 Computerized QTc = 419. Computerized QTc = 417. Akkerhuis KM, et al.

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI ALS Emergency Department 52