Basics & Fundamentals
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Non-Thrombotic Causes of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
Key Points: ACS ≠ Always Thrombosis: While most ACS is due to plaque rupture with thrombus formation, several important non-thrombotic causes can produce identical ECG changes, troponin elevation, and symptoms….
Occlusion MI: STEMI Criteria & Beyond
Key Points: The ECG’s primary role in ACS is detecting acute coronary occlusion. Acute coronary occlusion myocardial infarction (OMI) is a time-critical diagnosis that requires immediate reperfusion. Time is myocardium….
JT Interval: Basics
Key Points: The JT interval isolates ventricular repolarization by removing QRS duration from the QT. JT = QT − QRS. It is most useful when the QRS is wide, where…
PR Interval: Basics
Key Points: Definition: PR interval runs from P-wave onset to the first ventricular deflection (start of QRS). It reflects atrial depolarization plus conduction through the AV node and His-Purkinje system….
RR Interval: Basics
Key Points: The RR interval is the time between consecutive R waves. It is the most practical way to assess rate and regularity. RR is the backbone of rhythm interpretation:…
Waveforms, Segments, & Intervals: Basics
Key Points: Every ECG tracing is built from waveforms (deflections), segments (baseline portions between waveforms), and intervals (time that include waveforms plus segments). Waveforms describe electrical events (depolarization or repolarization)….
Hypercalcemia
Key Points: ECG hallmark: Shortened QT interval, primarily due to shortening of the ST segment. STEMI mimic: Severe hypercalcemia can produce apparent ST-segment elevation and a pseudoinfarction pattern, occasionally mimicking…
ECG Findings of LV Aneurysm
Key Points: Definition: A true LV aneurysm is a chronic, post transmural MI complication from scarred myocardium with akinetic or dyskinetic (paradoxical) wall motion. ECG hallmark: Persistent ST elevation in…
Acute Pericarditis
Key Points: Acute pericarditis commonly mimics ACS clinically and on ECG, creating frequent diagnostic uncertainty in acute care. The first priority is excluding occlusion MI. Pericarditis should be considered only…
Post-Thrombolytic Reperfusion ECG Findings
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…
ECG Evidence of Reperfusion After Occlusion
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…
Early Reciprocal Changes: OMI Pattern
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…
Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS)
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…
Pulse-Tapping Artifact
Key Points: Mechanical artifact caused by an ECG electrode sitting on top of a strong arterial pulse. Seen frequently in dialysis patients with AV fistulas. Can mimic serious pathology including…
Atrial Parasystole
Key Points: Atrial parasystole is a rare atrial rhythm in which an ectopic atrial focus fires at its own intrinsic rate, relatively protected from sinus-node reset by entrance block. The…
de Winter T Waves: STEMI Equivalent Pattern
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…
Pacemakers: Basics
Key Points: Pacemakers treat bradyarrhythmias by delivering timed atrial, ventricular, or dual-chamber pacing when intrinsic activity is slow or absent. Know the major device types encountered in the ED: single-chamber,…
Himalayan T Waves
Key Points Tall, broad-based T–U fusion that looks like a mountain peak, usually from severe hypokalemia; think high torsades risk until proven otherwise. Hallmark is prolonged repolarization: QT appears long…
Pseudo-Wellens Waves
Key Points: Pseudo-Wellens waves are anterior T-wave patterns that mimic the biphasic or deeply inverted T waves of true Wellens syndrome but are caused by non-LAD, non-ischemic physiology. These normal-variant…
Wellens Waves
Key Points Wellens waves are anterior precordial T wave abnormalities (biphasic or deeply inverted) most often in V2–V3, occasionally extending to V1 and V4–V6. They signal a high likelihood of…
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