Key Points: ST elevation describes an ECG finding, not a diagnosis. It reflects abnormal ventricular repolarization and can arise from ischemic, structural, metabolic, electrical, or extracardiac processes. Occlusion MI is…
Key Points: ST-segment elevation (STE) is an ECG finding, not a diagnosis. Multiple ischemic and non-ischemic processes can produce STE. Diffuse STE is often non-ischemic, in contrast to the regional…
Key Points: High risk of missed diagnosis. Isolated posterior occlusion MI is frequently missed because ST elevation is absent on the standard 12-lead ECG. Instead, posterior infarction most often presents…
Key Points: Early repolarization (ER) is a common, benign ECG pattern that most often appears in young, healthy patients. It can closely resemble acute anterior STEMI, creating a high-risk diagnostic…
Key Points: LV aneurysm pattern is a post MI scar pattern with persistent ST elevation in the prior infarct territory, usually with pathologic Q waves and a stable, non evolving…
Key Points: Pattern, not a STEMI equivalent. ST elevation in aVR (≥1 mm), often with ST elevation in V1 and diffuse ST depression (≥1 mm in ≥6 leads), represents high-risk…
Key Points: ST elevation (STE) in aVR with diffuse ST depression elsewhere most often reflects global subendocardial ischemia, not focal transmural infarction. High-risk coronary disease is one cause, not the…
Key Points: ST elevation is a pattern, not a diagnosis. STEMI represents one cause of ST elevation and requires correlation with ECG morphology, distribution, evolution, and clinical context. Most ED…
Key Points: Severe hyperkalemia is a true ECG chameleon. It can produce ST elevation, wide QRS complexes, axis shifts, and conduction blocks that closely mimic STEMI or ventricular tachycardia. New…
Key Points: Start by looking for STEMI, not pericarditis. The safest workflow is to actively search for occlusion MI features first, then use pericarditis features as supportive evidence. Reciprocal ST…
Key Points: STAT ECG is the first decision point in ACS. The primary purpose of the initial ECG is to identify patients who meet traditional STEMI criteria and require immediate…
Key Points: Most missed occlusion MI. Isolated posterior occlusion MI is frequently missed because the standard 12-lead ECG often lacks ST elevation. Instead, posterior injury appears as reciprocal anterior ST…
Key Points: Takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy is a transient, non-ischemic LV dysfunction—classically apical ballooning with basal hyperkinesis—often after emotional or physical stress. Presentation mimics occlusion MI (chest pain, ECG changes, elevated…
Key Points: ACS is dynamic. Coronary arteries can occlude, partially reperfuse, and re-occlude over minutes to hours, and the ECG can show these shifts before biomarkers do. The earliest actionable…
Key Points Reperfusion after fibrinolysis is a bedside diagnosis using a bundle of findings: symptoms, ECG trend, and hemodynamic/electrical stability. Best ECG marker of successful fibrinolysis: at least 50% ST-segment…
Key Points Reperfusion and re-occlusion can occur spontaneously or after therapy. The ECG often reflects these changes earlier than symptoms. Most useful bedside ECG marker of reperfusion is ST-segment resolution…
Key Points STEMI criteria alone miss some acute coronary occlusions, so look for subtle “occlusion clues,” not just traditional STEMI criteria cutoffs. Minor ST elevation under 1 mm paired with…
Key Points: ACS is a clinical syndrome: classified by ischemic symptoms + ECG + troponin. ACS exists on a continuum of unstable angina, NSTEMI, STEMI, and patients can evolve between…
Key Points: Do not reflexively label ST depression in V1–V4 as “anterior ischemia/NSTEMI.” In ACS symptoms, posterior OMI is a major concern when the depression is most prominent in V1–V3…
Key Points STEMI Equivalent: The de Winter ECG pattern is an uncommon STEMI equivalent indicative of an unstable proximal occlusion of the LAD (left anterior descending coronary artery). Treat the…