Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Here is his ED ECG at triage: Obvious high lateral OMI that does not quite meet STEMI criteria. Furthermore, if this occurs at all, it is a rare event. He does have a recently diagnosed PE, and has not been taking his anticoagulation due to cost. He had a previous ECG on file: Proving the findings are new The cath lab was activated.

Coronary 122

Coronary ACS OR EMR 122

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 7, 2024

Obvious infero-postero-lateral STEMI(+)OMI, regardless of context Now let’s put them in order: what was the sequence? With serial ECGs that are ‘STEMI negative’ the physician could have waited for serial troponin levels or referred the patient as “non-STEMI”. 2 Normal ECG #3. What was the outcome and final diagnosis?

STEMI 112

STEMI Coronary OR EMS 112

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023

Methods and Results Patients with confirmed ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by emergency medical services were included in this retrospective cohort analysis of the AVOID study. There was no association between moderate to severe chest pain on arrival and major adverse cardiac events at 6 months (20% vs. 14%, p=0.12).

STEMI 119

STEMI Coronary Emergency Medical Services OR 119

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 27, 2024

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?

STEMI 117

STEMI Coronary ACS ED 117

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 20, 2024

The cardiologist recognized that there were EKG changes, but did not take the patient for emergent catheterization because the EKG was “not meeting criteria for STEMI”. Troponin was elevated and no “STEMI” was seen on the EKG, so if it is acute MI, then “NSTEMI” is the diagnosis (however flawed), not a pathology on the differential.

CAD 126

CAD STEMI Coronary ACS 126

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 27, 2024

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. N Engl J Med [Internet] 2019;Available from: [link] Should all patients with shockable arrest be taken to angiography regardless of STEMI or No STEMI?

Defibrillator 113

Defibrillator STEMI Coronary ALS 113

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 31, 2020

Their OMI Manifesto details how use of standard STEMI criteria results in an unacceptable level of inaccuracy, in which an estimated 25-30% of acute coronary occlusions are missed! The more leads with suspicious findings — the greater the concern for an acute ongoing event.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary EMR ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

Discharge ECG showed antero-inferior reperfusion T wave inversion: Had the initial ECG been signed off as “STEMI negative” the patient could have arrested in the waiting room, with a poor cardiac and neurological outcome. A healthy 45-year-old female presented with chest pain, with normal vitals. What do you think? But which one is it?

OR 66

OR STEMI ACS Coronary 66

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 2, 2024

This was a machine read STEMI positive OMI. 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. His ECG is shown below. Pretty obvious anterior current of injury. What would you guess is the culprit artery?

STEMI 119

STEMI ALS OR 119

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

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".) It is not yet available, but this is your way to get on the list.

Coronary 109

Coronary E-9-1-1 STEMI ACS 109

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

DECEMBER 22, 2022

This is a very subtle change but cannot be anything other than an acute coronary event. Take home messages: 1- In STEMI/NSTEMI paradigm you search for STE on ECG. Comment by K EN G RAUER, MD ( 12/22 /2022 ): = Brilliant post by Dr. Aslanger — with emphatic illustration of "the difference in OMI vs STEMI philosophy" — in action!

STEMI 52

STEMI EMR Coronary OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

It has been estimated that in the aggregate, they occur at a rate of about 3 per 1000 patients with acute MI, and most of these events occur in patients with STEMI. It has been estimated that in the aggregate, they occur at a rate of about 3 per 1000 patients with acute MI, and most of these events occur in patients with STEMI.

STEMI 109

STEMI Coronary OR ALS 109

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." She seems a little concerned about some very subtle depression in the high lateral leads, but otherwise sees a pretty benign tracing.

E-9-1-1 123

E-9-1-1 ACS Coronary STEMI 123

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 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 5, 2023

Quiz : What percent of full blown STEMI have an open artery with normal flow at angiogram? It too is "normal" and you decide that this is not OMI or STEMI and you just decide to get troponins. So despite the artifact — and even without any history — this initial ECG has to be interpreted as an acute event until proven otherwise.

STEMI 98

STEMI Emergency Department OR ALS 98

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

Troponin T peaked at 2074 ng/L (very high, typical of OMI/STEMI). large ASD, partial anomalous pulmonary venous return, significant tricuspid regurgitation, carcinoid valvular disease, etc,) 2) Conditions causing pressure overload of the RV. Any cause of pulmonary hypertension. At this point an old ECG on file was found for comparison.

STEMI 116

STEMI ACS OR ALS 116

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

JUNE 5, 2023

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%. Aside on ECG Research: 20% of Definite diagnostic STEMI (Cox et al.) We send each other EKG by the dozens every day. Most are OMI look alikes (mimics).

STEMI 96

STEMI Coronary Ambulance ED 96

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 19, 2023

This is diagnostic of infero-posterior OMI, but it is falsely negative by STEMI criteria and with falsely negative posterior leads (though they do show mild ST elevation in V4R). They were less likely to have STEMI on ECG, and more likely to be initially diagnosed as non-ACS. Potassium was normal. This is not unusual.

STEMI 98

STEMI ACS OR ALS 98

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 29, 2018

Here is a repeat ECG 45 minutes later with persistent chest pain: Obviously progressing into a clear STEMI. Meets formal STEMI criteria in V2-V3. There is a small amount of STE in V2 and V3, with a very small amount of STD in V4-V6. The T-waves are not definitively hyperacute. There was no prior for comparison. The patient did well.

OR 52

OR STEMI Coronary ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 22, 2024

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). As far as I can tell, there is only one randomized trial of immediate vs. delayed intervention for transient STEMI. Labs ordered but not yet drawn.

Coronary 118

Coronary STEMI ED OR 118

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024

Smith : there is some minimal ST elevation in V2-V6, but does not meet STEMI criteria. Transient STEMI has been studied and many of these patients will re-occlude in the middle of the night. Is it normal STE? The computer thinks so, and the physician thinks that is quite possible. However , there is terminal QRS distortion in lead V3.

STEMI 116

STEMI ACS Critical Care Coronary 116

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 22, 2023

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. Written by Pendell Meyers A man in his 70s with no cardiac history presented with acute weakness, syncope, and fever. He denied chest pain or shortness of breath. There was a 0.9%

E-9-1-1 92

E-9-1-1 CAD OR STEMI 92

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 17, 2023

The Queen of Hearts correctly says: Smith : Why is this ECG which manifests so much ST Elevation NOT a STEMI (even if it were a 60 year old with chest pain)? Physician interpretation: "No STEMI." Physician: "No STEMI." Cardiologist interpretation: "Technically does not meet STEMI criteria but concerning for ischemia."

OR 52

OR STEMI ACS Emergency Department 52

ECG & Echo Learning

JANUARY 18, 2023

STEMI , ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction ). 1 Initial diagnosis of STEMI ECG Management Recommendation Level of evidence A 12-lead ECG should be interpreted immediately (within 10 minutes) at first medical contact. I C Pain Titrated i.v. IIa C Anxiety Tranquillizer (e.g benzodiazepine) is considered.

STEMI 40

STEMI Coronary OR Defibrillator 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

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. These are identical to Wellens' waves because Wellens' syndrome is a transient OMI (or transient STEMI) Learning Points 1. Has never had this before. Takes metoprolol for HTN.

STEMI 128

STEMI Critical Care OR ED 128

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 22, 2024

Unfortunately, the cardiologist waited until the next day to refer the patient for angiography and intervention because patient did not meet criteria for "STEMI"." And Olivier finishes with this commentary: "Yet another example in favor of abandoning STEMI criteria for diagnosing OMI. Peak troponin: 128,000 ng/L. Every 15 minutes!

Coronary 66

Coronary STEMI OR ALS 66

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

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

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

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

AUGUST 4, 2024

QOH versions 1 and 2 both say Not OMI, with high confidence, without any clinical context, despite the abnormal STE meeting STEMI criteria. Of note, there is arguably terminal QRS distortion in V4-V6. I sent this to our group without information and Dr. Smith responded: "Not OMI. Pericarditis maybe."

STEMI 117

STEMI OR Emergency Department 117

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.

E-9-1-1 78

E-9-1-1 ACS STEMI Coronary 78

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 29, 2015

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." Can you diagnose an ACO (STEMI) when you also have LVH? The criteria of Armstrong et al.

STEMI 40

STEMI Coronary ALS CAD 40