A middle-aged woman presented with what is described as a burning feeling in her chest which the physician said was “very atypical.”  It did occur during exercise and radiated to both wrists.

Here is the first ECG:

Sinus rhythm.   Computerized QTc is 437.   There is some ST Elevation in II and aVF but without reciprocal ST depression in aVL.   Precordial leads also have ST Elevation:  Is this normal variant or is it Ischemic ST Elevation?  There is upward concavity in all leads, suggesting normality. But upward concavity is seen in all of leads V2-V6 in almost 50% of LAD occlusion.  There is no ST depression, Q-waves, or T-wave inversion.

The first impression of the clinicians was “pericarditis” because of the diffuse ST elevation.

The computer algorithm might say: “Diffuse ST elevation, consider pericarditis, early repolarization, or myocardial infarction.” I don’t know what it actually said.

Early repol vs. LAD occlusion

Should we use the LAD-Early Repol calculator?

If you did, and it was negative, it would likely be a false negative.  Why?

There is Terminal QRS distortion in V3, which is not a finding of normal variant ST elevation.

What is Terminal QRS distortion?

Terminal QRS distortion is the absence of both an S-wave or a J-wave in either V2 or V3.  It is not seen in early repolarization, or is very rare.  In the right clinical context, and in the presence of non-diagnostic ST elevation, it is highly suspicious for coronary occlusion.

They did apply the formula, using these measurements: 1.5 mm for STE at 60 ms after the J-point in lead V3, QTc of 437, and R-wave amplitude in V4 of 13.  (I would have used 2, 437, 14)

Their numbers resulted in 23.34 (very close to 23.4, but technically negative.  I recommend that anything above 22.0 be investigated further)

My measurements would have resulted in 23.6, also very close but positive.

Pericarditis vs. LAD occlusion

I always say “You diagnose pericarditis at your (and your patient’s) peril.” 

Why is this not pericarditis:

1. ST vector: The ST vector in pericarditis should be lateral and inferior and only slightly anterior.  The vector here is towards V3.

2. Large T-waves: in pericarditis, the ST elevation is much more pronounced than the T-wave.  Here the T-wave is more pronounced, hyperactute.

3. No diagnostic PR depression.

4. Notice there is a Spodick’s sign in V3-V5. But this is a worthless sign (see this recent post).

They recorded 2 more ECGs at unknown intervals:

2nd:

Perhaps some increase in STE

3rd:

There is slightly increasing ST Elevation

Fortunately, the troponin came back slightly elevated, and fortunately they did not not attribute that elevation to myocarditis.

The patient was taken to angiography and found to have a 99% thrombotic LAD occlusion.