The document discusses ECG interpretation focusing on STEMI, its patterns, and the significance of rapid recognition for effective treatment. It outlines different ECG abnormalities associated with STEMI, including ST elevation indicating coronary artery occlusion and variations seen in left bundle branch blocks and posterior infarcts. The key takeaway is the importance of assessing clinical presentation and ECG details to minimize misdiagnosis and improve patient outcomes.

1. ECG interpretation: STEMI
Primary PCI and direct admission of high
risk NSTEMI
Joanne Simpson
Golden Jubilee National Hospital
Wednesday 17th February 2016

2. Aims
 Revise the ECG patterns which occur in STEMI
 Focus on those which are more difficult to
recognise, but not uncommon
 Remember:
Some ECG patterns are not clear cut
Minimising missed STEMIs is the priority

3. 1. What does this ECG show?

4. 1. What does this ECG show?
 Anterior ST depression
 Left ventricular hypertrophy
 Bundle branch block
 Inferior STEMI

5. 2. What does this ECG show?

6. 2. What does this ECG show?
 Inferior T wave inversion
 Lateral T wave inversion
 Inferolateral T wave inversion
 High lateral STEMI

7. 3. What does this ECG show?

8. 3. What does this ECG show?
 Left bundle branch block
 Anterior T wave inversion
 Posterior STEMI
 Atrial fibrillation

9. 4. What does this ECG show?

10. 4. What does this ECG show?
 Left bundle branch block
 Left ventricular hypertrophy
 Anterior STEMI
 Atrial fibrillation

11. STEMI
 ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Complete (or near complete) occlusion of a coronary artery
→ restriction of blood supply to heart muscle beyond
 This produces characteristic symptoms and ECG changes which
allow:
rapid recognition of STEMI
prompt delivery of optimal reperfusion therapy
→ minimise infarct size, risk of future events, early and late mortality

12. STEMI
 ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Complete (or near complete) occlusion of a coronary artery
→ restriction of blood supply to heart muscle beyond
 This produces characteristic symptoms and ECG changes which
allow:
rapid recognition of STEMI
prompt delivery of optimal reperfusion therapy
→ minimise infarct size, risk of future events, early and late mortality

13. Clinical presentation

14. Different ECG patterns in STEMI
1. ST elevation reflecting occlusion of a coronary artery
2. Posterior infarct
3. Left bundle branch block

15. 1. ST elevation reflecting occlusion of a coronary artery
- ‘injury current’ between normal and necrotic Tissue
- occurs in regional patterns
2. Posterior infarct
3. Left bundle branch block
Different ECG patterns in STEMI

16. ST elevation due to coronary occlusion
ECG leads over the territory of the occluded artery will show ST
elevation as the injury current travels toward them
ST elevation correlates to the territory of the occluded artery:
Inferior = RCA / LCx
Posterior = RCA / LCx
Lateral = LCx
Anteroseptal = LAD
Circumflex
artery (LCx)
Left
anterior
descending
artery (LAD)
Right coronary
artery (RCA)

17. How do ECG leads look at the heart?

18. How do ECG leads look at the heart?
Chest leadsFrontal leads

19. Inferior leads
Anterior leads Lateral leads
How do ECG leads look at the heart?

20. Correlating ECG leads with vessel territory
Inferior Lateral
AnteriorInferior leads
Anterior leads Lateral leads

21. ST elevation due to coronary occlusion
ST elevation in anterior leads
‘Reciprocal’ ST depression in inferior leads

22. ST elevation in inferior leads
Reciprocal ST depression in anterior leads
ST elevation due to coronary occlusion

23. ST elevation due to coronary occlusion
ST elevation in high lateral leads
‘Reciprocal’ ST depression in inferior leads

24. Different ECG patterns in STEMI
1. ST elevation reflecting occlusion of a coronary artery
- ‘injury current’ between normal and necrotic tissue
- occurs in regional patterns
2. Posterior infarct
- location means ST elevation is not seen
3. Left bundle branch block

25. Posterior wall infarction
Posterior infarct may be caused by RCA or LCx occlusion
- often associated with inferior or lateral ST elevation
Circumflex
artery (LCx)
Left
anterior
descending
artery (LAD)
Right coronary
artery (RCA)

26. Posterior wall infarction
 No ECG leads ‘look’ directly at the posterior wall of the heart
 Anterior leads are directly opposite and will see the opposite
of any current generated at the posterior wall
 posterior ST elevation= anterior ST depression

27. Posterior wall infarction
ST depression in anterior leads
Subtle ST elevation in inferior leads

28. Different ECG patterns in STEMI
1. ST elevation reflecting occlusion of a coronary artery
- ‘injury current’ between normal and necrotic tissue
- occurs in regional patterns
2. Posterior infarct
- location means ST elevation is not seen
3. Left bundle branch block (LBBB)
- if NEW can indicate infarction
- if OLD can obscure ST elevation during an infarct

29. Left bundle branch block

30. Left bundle branch block
QRS duration > 3 small squares
Negative QRS across anterior leads with poor R wave progression
Notched R wave in V6
V1
V6

31. Summary
 The clinical presentation is paramount
 Check each ECG territory in turn for ST elevation
 Look for ST depression
- is this reciprocal change?
- if anterior, could it be a posterior infarct?
 Check the QRS duration
- if > 3 small squares, is there LBBB?