Electrocardiographic manifestations: Patterns that confound the EKG diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction-left bundle branch block, ventricular paced rhythm, and left ventricular hypertrophy
Wj. Brady et al., Electrocardiographic manifestations: Patterns that confound the EKG diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction-left bundle branch block, ventricular paced rhythm, and left ventricular hypertrophy, J EMERG MED, 18(1), 2000, pp. 71-78
The 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG), at powerful tool used in evaluating th
e chest pain patient, has its shortcomings. One such failing is encountered
in a patient with one of the following electrocardiographic patterns: left
bundle branch block (LBBB), ventricular paced rhythm (WR), and left ventri
cular hypertrophy (LVH). These patterns reduce the ability of the EKG to de
tect acute coronary ischemic change and acute myocardial infarction (AMI),
Several strategies are available to assist in the correct interpretation of
these complicated electrocardiographic patterns, including a knowledge of
the ST segment-T wave changes associated with these confounding patterns, p
erformance of serial EKGs, and comparison with previous EKGs if available.
This article suggests guidelines and interpretive tools for diagnosing AMI
on EKG in patients with these confounding patterns. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scien
ce Inc.