Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 19, 2024

Case An 82 year old man with a history of hypertension presented to the ED with chest pain at 1211. The ED provider ordered a coronary CT scan to assess the patient for CAD. His pain suddenly became much worse in the ED and he became acutely diaphoretic, dizzy, and hypotensive. Another blood pressure was checked.

STEMI 61

STEMI Coronary CAD ED 61

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

JANUARY 1, 2013

A middle aged male with no h/o CAD presented with one week of crescendo exertional angina, and had chest pain at the time of the first ECG: Here is the patient's previous ECG: Here is the patient's presenting ED ECG: There is isolated ST depression in precordial leads, deeper in V2 - V4 than in V5 or V6. There is no ST elevation.

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS Coronary CAD 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 14, 2023

Sent by Anonymous, written by Pendell Meyers A man in his 60s with history of CAD and 2 prior stents presented to the ED complaining of acute heavy substernal chest pain that began while eating breakfast about an hour ago, and had been persistent since then, despite EMS administering aspirin and nitroglycerin. Pre-intervention.

CAD 52

CAD ACS STEMI Coronary 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 24, 2019

link] A 30 year-old woman was brought to the ED with chest pain. However, a smooth tapering of the mid-RCA was seen, highlighted in red below: How do we explain the MI if no sign of CAD was found? This MI wasn’t caused by a ruptured plaque of CAD - it was a coronary artery dissection of the RCA. This is written by Brooks Walsh.

Coronary 52

Coronary CAD ACS STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 18, 2013

This was my thought: if this patient presented to the ED with chest pain, then this is an LAD occlusion. His ECG was repeated at this point: This shows a well developed anterior STEMI. To not see these findings is very common, and this patient would be given the diagnosis of NonSTEMI, with subsequent development of STEMI.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary ALS CAD 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 12, 2017

This is diagnostic of inferior MI, though does not meet millimeter criteria for "STEMI." He had a family history of early CAD and occasional drug and tobacco use. The ECG was alarming to the ED physician who did indeed review it. Unknown algorithm Interpretation: Inferior ST elevation, with reciprocal ST depression in aVL.

STEMI 52

STEMI CAD Coronary ALS 52

ACEP Now

APRIL 4, 2024

A 59-year-old male with a past medical history of a repaired ventricular septal defect (VSD), dextrocardia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and current smoker presented to the emergency department (ED). This patient had known coronary artery disease (CAD), and previously required drug eluting stents to the obtuse marginal and diagonal arteries.

Coronary 40

Coronary STEMI CAD Emergency Department 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 20, 2023

Since then, I started looking for OMI EKG findings and not just STEMI. Case "Male, 43yo, come to ED with Epigastric Pain started 3 hours ago. Remember: these findings above are included as STEMI equivalent findings in the 2022 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on ACS Patients in the ED. Risk Factors: High Cholesterol.

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS CAD ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 28, 2018

A man is his late 50’s presents to the ED with 1 hour of post exertional chest pressure associated with diaphoresis and nausea. He has a history of known CAD, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The ED ECG in the context of the prehospital ECGs was indeed diagnostic of acute coronary occlusion. Leads II, III, aVF show about 0.5

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI CAD ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 19, 2020

This is a troponin I level that is almost exclusively seen in STEMI. So this is either a case of MINOCA, or a case of Type II STEMI. If the arrest had another etiology (such as old scar), and the ST elevation is due to severe shock, then it is a type II STEMI. I believe the latter (type II STEMI) is most likely.

Defibrillator 52

Defibrillator CPR Coronary CAD 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 19, 2023

Concerning history, known CAD" Recorded 2 hours after pain onset: What do you think? The patient was diagnosed with a"Non-STEMI." Traditionally , Occlusion MI (OMI) myocardial infarctions that are not STEMI are called NonSTEMI. This was my response: "This looks like a worrisome EKG. But by now you must have a repeat ECG.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary CAD OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 11, 2019

These findings are very subtle but suspicious for LAD occlusion, as we have seen in many similar (but less difficult) cases on this blog: A man in his sixties with chest pain at midnight with undetectable troponin How long would you like to wait for your Occlusion MI to show a STEMI? He also had non-acute CAD of the RCA (50%) and LCX (50%).

STEMI 52

STEMI ACS CAD ED 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MAY 10, 2023

CAD-RADS category 1. --No Later, she developed chest pain again, and had this ECG recorded: Obvious Anterior OMI that is also a STEMI Coronary angiogram- --Right dominant coronary artery system --The left main artery was normal in appearance and free of obstructive disease. --The Transient STEMI is at high risk of re-occlusion.

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI CAD OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

Important Learning Point: "STEMI" is defined by millimeter criteria (1 mm in limb leads), which this does not meet. Therefore it is not a STEMI. But what we truly care about is coronary occlusion, for which STEMI is just a surrogate that is only about 75% sensitive for occlusion. Some are STEMI-equivalents. Look at aVF.

E-9-1-1 40

E-9-1-1 STEMI Coronary CAD 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

J Electrocardiol [Internet] 2022;Available from: [link] Cardiology opinion: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (EF 30-35%) V Fib Cardiac arrest Prolonged QTC NSTEMI (Smith comment: is it NSTEMI or is it Takotsubo? -- these are entirely different) Moderate single-vessel CAD. I could have told you this (and did tell you this) without an MRI.

Emergency Department 52

Emergency Department E-9-1-1 Coronary STEMI 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JUNE 20, 2020

A 75 yo with h/o CAD, CABG, and HFrEF presented after a syncopal episode. The medics were worried about STEMI, as it meets STEMI criteria. The troponins are NOT consistent with STEMI (OMI), which typically has a troponin I of at least 5 ng/mL. There was no prodrome and no associated symptoms such as SOB or CP.

STEMI 52

STEMI CAD OR Coronary 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 3, 2018

Submitted and written by Alex Bracey with edits by Pendell Meyers and Steve Smith Case A 50ish year old man with a history of CAD w/ prior LAD MI s/p LAD stenting presented to the ED with chest pain similar to his prior MI, but worse. Around 19 hours later, he experienced the same pain, which prompted his presentation to the ED.

ACS 52

ACS STEMI Coronary CAD 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

A man in his 70s with past medical history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, CAD s/p left circumflex stent 2 years prior presented to the ED with worsening intermittent exertional chest pain relieved by rest. Written by Nathanael Franks MD, reviewed by Meyers, Smith, Grauer, etc.

ACS 83

ACS Coronary ALS CAD 83

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JULY 31, 2018

She had zero CAD risk factors. It is equivalent to a transient STEMI. Not much, but studies of STEMI and NonSTEMI show that about 70% of those diagnosed with STEMI have a peak troponin I above 10 ng/mL and that about 70% of those diagnosed with NonSTEMI have a peak troponin I below 10 ng/mL.

Coronary 52

Coronary ACS STEMI OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

DECEMBER 13, 2019

They found non-obstructive CAD, with only a 20% stenosis of OM2 and 10% RCA. normal variant, not pericarditis) A Young Man with Sharp Chest pain (normal variant, not pericarditis) 24 yo woman with chest pain: Is this STEMI? A repeat ECG was performed and cardiology was re-consulted: Roughly unchanged. No acute culprit. Pericarditis?

E-9-1-1 52

E-9-1-1 ACS Coronary CAD 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 19, 2016

Clinical Course The paramedic activated a “Code STEMI” alert and transported the patient nearly 50 miles to the closest tertiary medical center. The patient was brought directly to the cardiac catheterization lab for PCI, bypassing the ED. 2 The astute paramedic recognized this possibility and announced a CODE STEMI.

Coronary 40

Coronary ACS ALS STEMI 40

EMS 12-Lead

APRIL 8, 2022

Furthermore, there was no family history of early CAD, MI, or sudden cardiac death. BP 142/100 HR 90 RR 16 (BBS CTA) SpO2 99 (RA) Dstick 110 My colleagues noted the ST-depression in the respective leads, as well, and STEMI activated to the nearest PCI center. 1] Here is the admitting ED ECG after cancellation of Code STEMI.

STEMI 130

STEMI ALS Coronary CAD 130

EMS 12-Lead

AUGUST 14, 2022

Otherwise, no admission of CAD, HLD, or family history of sudden cardiac death. The ST changes went overlooked by both the ED physician and the on-call cardiologist, and the patient was subsequently admitted to telemetry. it has been subsequently deemed a STEMI-equivalent. However, when the Troponin I returned 8.4

MICU 130

MICU STEMI CAD Coronary 130

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

APRIL 8, 2016

He had significant history of CAD with CABG x5, and repeat CABG x 2 as well as a subsequent PCI of the graft to the RCA (twice) and of the graft to the Diagonal. Here is his ED ECG: There is obvious infero-posterior STEMI. What are you worried about in addition to his STEMI? Most recent echo showed EF of 60%.

STEMI 52

STEMI Plasma Defibrillator OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 20, 2024

Cardiology refused to be the admitting physician because it was "NSTEMI", and forced the ED physician to admit the patient to the hospitalist. Of course, there was terrible boarding and the patient was considered non-emergent (NSTEMI), and so could not leave the ED for some time. Scattered other nonobstructive CAD.

STEMI 121

STEMI CAD ED ALS 121

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 24, 2023

Written by Jesse McLaren, with comments from Smith An 85 year old with a history of CAD presented with 3 hours of chest pain that feels like heartburn but that radiates to the left arm. There’s minimal concave ST elevation in III which does not meet STEMI criteria, so this ECG is "STEMI negative". Below is the ECG. Take home 1.

STEMI 52

STEMI Coronary CAD OR 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 90

E-9-1-1 CAD OR STEMI 90

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 16, 2015

A middle-aged male with h/o CAD and stents presented with typical chest pressure. It may be difficult to read STEMI in the setting of RBBB. There is, however, a long QT also, with abnormal T-waves, but this is not STEMI. So there is pathologic ST elevation here, consistent with anterolateral STEMI. Called 911.

STEMI 40

STEMI CPR CAD Coronary 40

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

AUGUST 9, 2019

Smith and Meyers answer: First , LM occlusion is uncommon in the ED because most of these die before they can get a 12-lead recorded. All are, however, clearly massive STEMI. This is her ECG: An obvious STEMI, but which artery? Beware crescendo angina in patient with known CAD ST Elevation in aVR Case 7.

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI ACS ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

MARCH 6, 2019

This is technically a STEMI, with 1.5 However, I think many practitioners might not see this as a clear STEMI, and would instead call this "borderline." They collected several repeat ECGs at the outside hospital before transport: None of these three ECGs meet STEMI criteria. This ECG was recorded on arrival: What do you think?

STEMI 52

STEMI ALS ACS ICU 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

OCTOBER 10, 2022

He reportedly told his family "I think I'm having a heart attack", then they immediately drove him to the ED, and he was able to ambulate into the triage area before he collapsed and became unresponsive. The value of Stat Echo in the ED for confirming clinical and ECG suspicion of acute PE cannot be overstated!

ACS 52

ACS CPR CAD Heart Attack 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

His ED cardiac ultrasound (which is not at all ideal for detecting wall motion abnormalities, and is also very operator dependent for this finding) was significant for depressed global EF. In this study of dialysis patients with severe CAD, 77% had an abnormal resting EKG and the most common abnormality was LVH. Herzog et al.

CAD 52

CAD OR ED ALS 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 30, 2019

2) The STE in V1 and V2 has an R'-wave and downsloping ST segments, very atypical for STEMI. Cardiology was consulted and they agreed that the EKG had an atypical morphology for STEMI and did not activate the cath lab. She has not had a heart catheterization or after this event so the presence or absence of CAD is still unknown.

E-9-1-1 52

E-9-1-1 CAD STEMI OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 9, 2023

No family history of sudden cardiac death, cardiomyopathy, premature CAD, or other cardiac issues. 50% of LAD STEMIs do not have reciprocal findings in inferior leads, and many LAD OMIs instead have STE and/or HATWs in inferior leads instead. The ECG easily meets STEMI criteria in all leads V2-V6, as well. Pericarditis?

Coronary 52

Coronary STEMI Heart Attack OR 52

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

He arrived at the ED just shy of two hours after onset, pain free. No prior similar symptoms or known CAD. Here is the initial ED ECG: Here that first ECG is cleaned up by PM Cardio app: What do you think? The Queen of Hearts Diagnosed "STEMI/STEMI equivalent" on that first ECG (she now uses "STEMI Equivalent" rather than OMI).

OR 111

OR STEMI Coronary CAD 111

Dr. Smith's ECG Blog

JANUARY 24, 2025

Written by Willy Frick A 52 year old man with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (a risk factor for CAD) presented with acute substernal chest pressure with diaphoresis which woke him from sleep just after midnight. He said it felt like "someone ripped [his] heart out." J Cardiovascular Interventions.--20/53

STEMI 125

STEMI CAD Coronary ED 125