This 49 yo black male presented with sudden substernal non radiating pleuritic chest pain on the day prior to presentation. Here is the presenting ECG:
Bedside ultrasound showed no wall motion abnormality. A troponin drawn the next AM was negative. A repeat EKG showed increased ST elevation:
Repeat echo again showed no wall motion abnormality.
Why is the ST elevation greater in the second ECG? One must remember that the ST elevation of early repolarization diminishes with increased sympathetic tone, such as during exercise. When the heart rate is faster, as in the first ECG, the ST elevation is likely to be less pronounced than when the heart rate is slower.
Kambara found in his longitudinal study of patients with early repolarization that, in 26% the ST elevation disappeared on follow up ECG and in 74% the degree of ST elevation varied on followup ECGs.
I do not have proof in this case, but I'm pretty certain that the difference in ST elevation is due to the difference in heart rate.
Learning point: The ST elevation of early repol is not constant. In particular, it may be diminished with exercise, sympathetic tone, and heart rate, and may be increased when the heart rate is slower.
Thanks to Steve Dunlop for this case.
Here is a good review article on early repolarization:
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| There is ST elevation in anterior leads that is classic for early repolarization: there is excellent R-wave progression, QT is not long, T-waves are assymmetric (slower upstroke than downstroke), and well-formed J-waves. The equation value [1.196 x (ST elevation at 60 ms after the J-point)] + [QTc x 0.059] - [R amplitude in V4) x 0.326)] is low [= (2.0 x 1.196) + (418 x 0.059) - (25 x 0.326)], which is equal to 18.9. A value less than 23.4 is unlikely to be MI. Interestingly, the presence of J-waves did not add value to the prediction rule equation. |
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| Equation value is: (4.5 x 1.196) + (0.059 x 400) - (0.326 x 28) = 19.9 (early repol) |
Repeat echo again showed no wall motion abnormality.
Why is the ST elevation greater in the second ECG? One must remember that the ST elevation of early repolarization diminishes with increased sympathetic tone, such as during exercise. When the heart rate is faster, as in the first ECG, the ST elevation is likely to be less pronounced than when the heart rate is slower.
Kambara found in his longitudinal study of patients with early repolarization that, in 26% the ST elevation disappeared on follow up ECG and in 74% the degree of ST elevation varied on followup ECGs.
I do not have proof in this case, but I'm pretty certain that the difference in ST elevation is due to the difference in heart rate.
Learning point: The ST elevation of early repol is not constant. In particular, it may be diminished with exercise, sympathetic tone, and heart rate, and may be increased when the heart rate is slower.
Thanks to Steve Dunlop for this case.
Here is a good review article on early repolarization:
What cut-off (or rule of thumb) do you use to determine if the QTc is suggestive of ischemia? Is there a fast and dirty method or do you have to know the patient's baseline QTc and then look for a change? For example, how about a QTc of 430 or 440?
ReplyDeleteGlobal STE with notched j-points makes me think its possibly pericarditis especially with substernal non-radiating pain
ReplyDeleteTroy,
ReplyDeleteThe 1) marked J-waves and 2) large T-wave to ST elevation ratio both markedly favor early repol over pericarditis.
Steve Smith
Tom,
ReplyDeleteI answered your question and somehow it did not post. So here goes again: There is no good QT cutoff. It is not a good univariate predictor. If > 440 it is probably not early repol. If less than 380 it is very likely early repol. The 3 variables together work very well in the equation, but no one by itself works well.
Steve
Dr Smith, do you have any data regarding the specificity (and Sn) of slower-upstroke-faster-downstroke ST segment favoring BER?
ReplyDeleteAnd does the fish-hook J point (which favors BER) disappear during true STEMI?
I don't have data on the upstroke question, but in my experience it is pretty accurate when clearly either symmetric or asymmetric. As far as "fish-hook goes, I don't know. But in our study of STEMI, as I remember, 14% had of subtle STEMI had clear J-waves.
ReplyDeleteST elevations are concave, depolarization notch in V4 and depressed PR segment in leads II and V4, if i am right in interpretation then all these favor BER. Sir, your comments.
ReplyDelete