A middle age male presented with chest pain. Here is his ECG; there was no previous for comparison:
[There is also an upright T-wave in V1 and larger than the T-wave in V6 (some say this is a sign of STEMI - I have not found that it is a predictive independent variable)]
I immediately knew when I saw this that is was early repolarization. How?
First, what are the worrisome aspects?
1) what most catches the eye is the absence of an S-wave in V3. Normally, this is called "terminal QRS distortion" and is a very good sign of STEMI. However, it is NOT QRS distortion because, even though there is no S-wave, there is a very pronounced J-wave (a wave at the J-point).
2) The STE in aVL and STD in III suggest STEMI, but this is minimal ST deviation, and not enough to prevent use of the LAD occlusion vs. early repol formula (see sidebar excel applet).
With QTc 380
STE at 60 ms after the J-point in V3 = 2.5
R-wave amplitude in V4 = 28
Result = 16.3, which is far less than the cutoff of 23.4
We did serial ECGs and there was no change. He ruled out for MI with serial troponins. (Ruling out alone is not proof, however -- This is a GREAT CASE)
The reciprocal relationship between aVL and III should still be bothering some. Below is an explanation that is further elaborated upon in this post:
Here is a post on True positive vs. false positive ST elevation in aVL, with illustrative cases
When there is ST elevation in aVL, with reciprocal ST depression in III:
1. Look for these signs of MI:
a. Absence of J-waves
b. Other ST depression
c. Large T-waves
d. Symmetric T-waves
e. Down-Up T-waves
2. Compare with an old ECG
3. Use ED Echo if available
4. Use formal Echo
5. A positive troponin is helpful (a negative one is not if symptoms are of few hours duration or less)
 |
| QTc is 380 ms. There is 3 mm of STE at the J-point in V2 and 2.5 mm in V3. There is also slight STE in aVL with reciprocal ST depression in III. It is a rather scary ECG, very suggestive of proximal LAD occlusion (proximal would include the first diagonal, resulting in high lateral MI with STE in aVL and reciprocal ST depression in III). What is it? |
I immediately knew when I saw this that is was early repolarization. How?
First, what are the worrisome aspects?
1) what most catches the eye is the absence of an S-wave in V3. Normally, this is called "terminal QRS distortion" and is a very good sign of STEMI. However, it is NOT QRS distortion because, even though there is no S-wave, there is a very pronounced J-wave (a wave at the J-point).
2) The STE in aVL and STD in III suggest STEMI, but this is minimal ST deviation, and not enough to prevent use of the LAD occlusion vs. early repol formula (see sidebar excel applet).
With QTc 380
STE at 60 ms after the J-point in V3 = 2.5
R-wave amplitude in V4 = 28
Result = 16.3, which is far less than the cutoff of 23.4
We did serial ECGs and there was no change. He ruled out for MI with serial troponins. (Ruling out alone is not proof, however -- This is a GREAT CASE)
The reciprocal relationship between aVL and III should still be bothering some. Below is an explanation that is further elaborated upon in this post:
Here is a post on True positive vs. false positive ST elevation in aVL, with illustrative cases
When there is ST elevation in aVL, with reciprocal ST depression in III:
1. Look for these signs of MI:
a. Absence of J-waves
b. Other ST depression
c. Large T-waves
d. Symmetric T-waves
e. Down-Up T-waves
2. Compare with an old ECG
3. Use ED Echo if available
4. Use formal Echo
5. A positive troponin is helpful (a negative one is not if symptoms are of few hours duration or less)
Is there subtle ST elevation in lead I? Up sloping ST segment in V2 - hyper acute?
ReplyDeletethis is early repol, and it can fool you. It can look a lot like STEMI
DeleteThank you, Sir
Deletethe high amplitude of R wave in V4 and the short QTc in the same lead provided me the clue that this not an MI.
ReplyDeleteDid you performed an echo to r/o LVH ?
ReplyDeletegood question. yes. no LVH
DeleteAre U waves present in the chest leads?
ReplyDeleteYes, but they are normal U-waves. Good observation.
DeleteSteve Smith
As a paramedic i would have called this a stemi due to the elivation and pt having chest pain. Treat with NY 0.4mg SL till drip is set up. If pt still has chest pain and BP is above 100/systolic and no relief with NY drip then morphine 2mg.
ReplyDeleteThat is great. Best to assume the worst until proven otherwise
DeleteSir, without anyother investigation only on the base of ecg can u say that this is not a mi other than early repolarization??
ReplyDeleteIt is very difficult and requires lots of experience and expertise. I looked at it and knew immediately that it was not STEMI. Serial ECGs not changing was very supportive. However, I did wake up in the middle of the night and think, "What if I was wrong?"
DeleteSteve Smith
What about pericarditis? Looks like diffuse, concave ST elevation without any reciprocal changes
ReplyDeleteWith pericarditis, you expect ST elevation in II, V5, V6. It is also much less common than normal variant.
DeleteAnd also PR segment depression, which is not here
DeleteHey Dr. Smith,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your great lectures and the research you do!
I'm just hoping you can clarify something for me. I've watched your lectures on subtle LAD occlusion and BER which has made me question how many misdiagnoses I've made and so I'm frantically going through all of these lectures and papers. :)
In this post...
http://hqmeded-ecg.blogspot.ca/2015/10/best-explanation-of-terminal-qrs.html
You state...
"In my modification of the rule, I found that it is never seen in early repol. In other words, if you think an ECG represents early repol, there MUST be either a J-wave or an S-wave in BOTH V2 and V3"
However, in this post you state this is an example of BER as there is no QRS distortion. We can see an S-wave in V2 but no J wave and a J-wave in V3 but no S-wave. Based on your previous statement, shouldn't BOTH V2 and V3 have either a J-wave or an S-wave to be diagnosed as BER whereas in this example we can only see one of each? Or is it as long as V2 and V3 include either an S-wave or J-wave then it is BER? I'm just confused as to what you consider to be true QRS distortion so I do not incorrectly apply the formula when I use it on my next shift.
Thanks! I met a physician who worked with you at the AIME Advanced course recently in Halifax (I believe she was from New Zealand) and she had nothing but glowing things to say about you.
Thanks!
DeleteThere must be one or the other in both leads. One can have an S-wave and the other a J-wave. Actually, 90% of early repol cases had an S-wave in both. 100% had an S-wave in V2. 10% had no S-wave in V3 but all had a J-wave.
Steve