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STEMI Mimics: DDx
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…
STEMI vs Severe Hyperkalemia: DDx
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…
STEMI vs Acute Pericarditis: DDx
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…
Traditional STEMI Criteria
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…
STEMI vs Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: DDx
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…
Earliest Evidence of Occlusion MI
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…
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…
Spiked Helmet Sign (SHS)
Key Points SHS is a rare ECG pattern of pseudo–ST elevation that begins before the QRS complex, producing a dome-and-spike contour resembling a Prussian/German spiked helmet. SHS strongly correlates with…
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…
Pacemaker & ICD Emergencies
Key Points: Three primary pacemaker malfunctions: Failure to pace – no pacing spike when one is needed. Failure to capture – pacing spike appears but no depolarization follows. Failure to…
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 Syndrome
Key Points: Clinical diagnosis, not an ECG pattern alone. Wellens syndrome requires the characteristic ECG findings plus the appropriate clinical scenario. Morphology alone is insufficient and high-risk if misapplied. Critical…
Ventricular Tachycardia (VT): Core Overview
Key Points: VT is a ventricular-origin rhythm: ≥3 consecutive ventricular beats, QRS >120 ms, rate usually 120–250 bpm. Types include monomorphic VT, polymorphic VT, torsades (PMVT with long QT), ventricular…
Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (pVT) Arrest
Key Points: Defibrillation First, Minimal Pauses: pVT is rapidly fatal without immediate shocks and high‑quality CPR. Charge defibrillator during compressions and resume compressions immediately after each shock. pVT is a…
Shark Fin “Massive STEMI” Pattern
Key Points: High-risk STEMI morphology caused by fusion of the terminal QRS, J point, ST segment, and T wave into a single “triangular” deflection. Often massive apparent STE with loss…
Prominent Upright T Wave in V1
Key Points: Normal T Wave in V1: The normal ECG typically shows a flat or inverted T wave in lead V1 in sinus rhythm. An upright T wave in V1 can…
Electrical Storm
Key Points: Definition: Electrical storm is defined as three or more episodes of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), or appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks within 24 hours. Some…
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