On July 26, I posted a similar problem, but in that case, the huge ST elevation was proportional.
Here is another case in which it may be difficult to find the J-point if lead II was not there to help:
An elderly woman had a cardiac arrest, VT then PEA, and was resuscitated. Here is her initial ECG:
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| There is SVT, probably sinus, at a rate of 149, with Left Bundle Branch Block. There is no septal r-wave in V2 or V3. Because of the convex morphology of the ST segment (which is highly suggesive of STEMI by itself), it is difficult to find the J-point in order to calculate the ST/S ratio (the ST segment is measured at the J-point, relative to the PQ junction). However, the J-point is easy to find on lead II which runs across the bottom (see below) |
(In our data, a convex ST Segment in LBBB was quite specific for anterior STEMI, but only 50% sensitive)
Here is the same ECG, annotated:
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| Here I found the J-point in lead II and draw a line up to find the J-points in V1-V3. I have magnified this below: |
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| V2 STE = 3 mm, divided by 10.5 mm S-wave: ratio = 0.285 V3 STE = 11 mm, divided by 24.5 mm S-wave: ratio = 0.45 Notice also the disproportional excessively discordant ST depression in V5: 3.5/10 = 0.35. |
A single lead with proportionally excessively discordant ST elevation greater than 0.25 indicates STEMI
A single lead with proportionally excessively discordant ST depression greater than 0.30 indicates STEMI
However, we did not study patients with a heart rate greater than 130, as such tachycardia tends to exaggerate the ST deviation of LBBB.
Nevertheless, this is almost certainly STEMI, especially as the pretest probability (cardiac arrest) is very high.
Usually the heart rate comes down gradually after resuscitation (supportive care, diminished endogenous and exogenous epinephrine). It would be helpful to repeat the ECG after 10-15 minutes, with a slower heart rate. This was not done.
She went to the cath lab and was found to have severe 3 vessel disease, with thrombotic culprit lesions of 85% in both the LAD and circumflex. It is quite likely that these were 100% at the time of the ECG.
This is 3 hours after the PCI:
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| The left bundle branch block is resolved. There are Q-waves in anterior leads due to MI. |
The patient did well.
Lesson:
Use lead II across the bottom to help you find the end of the QRS when it is difficult to find.
Hi steve i think the qrs fragmentation in v4 is also a hint for acs isn't it?
Daniel,
Definitely. But could be due to old MI too.
Thanks!
Steve Smith
How were you sure this was SVT prob sinus with LBBB? V tach would have been possible?
Dominic,
It cannot be VT because the first part of the QRS is too narrow (conducts fast through conducting tissue). The onset of the QRS to nadir of the S-wave in V1-V3 is about 40 ms, far too fast for VT.
Steve