ECG of the month. Bigeminal rhythm VIII. Sinus rhythm with normal antegrade atrioventricular (A-V) conduction and slow retrograde conduction back to the atria, producing atrial reentry or echo complexes and suggesting dual A-V nodal pathways or an accessory A-V pathway that conducts slowly from the ventricles to the atria

A 55-year-old woman came to the emergency department because of an episode of post-prandial upper abdominal pain radiating to her back and associated with nausea and vomiting. The pain had been recurring intermittently for approximately six months. While in the emergency department, she had another episode of pain and felt lightheaded. Her pulse rate at that point was between 30 and 40 beats per minute, and an electrocardiogram was recorded (Figure).

Sensitivity and specificity of frequently used electrocardiographic criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction

Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) strongly predicts mortality in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). However, the validity of LVH voltage criteria in this context has not been assessed. Reviewing the coded database of echocardiographic studies performed at one institution, we performed a retrospective analysis of 49 patients who had anterior akinesis on the echocardiogram and anterior wall MI on the electrocardiogram. Results showed that, compared with the sensitivities and specificities of the electrocardiographic voltage criteria in historical cohorts, Cornell criteria were less sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of LVH in patients with anterior wall MI. The sensitivity was reduced in the presence of an associated lateral wall MI, and the specificity was reduced in the absence of a lateral wall MI (overall sensitivity in case of anterior wall MI, with or without an associated lateral wall MI, 21% vs 41%, P = 0.049; overall specificity 84% vs 98%, P = 0.003). All criteria, except for S in V(1) + R in V(5) or V(6) >3.5 mV, had a significantly reduced specificity in the case of anterior wall MI not associated with lateral wall MI, and all criteria, except for R in V(6) > R in V(5), had reduced sensitivity in the presence of a lateral wall MI. In conclusion, anterior wall MI reduces the sensitivity and the specificity of the most commonly used LVH voltage criteria.

Acquired atheromatous coarctation of the aortic arch

A 58-year-old woman with a past medical history significant for tobacco use presented with shortness of breath. Physical examination revealed a 30 mm Hg difference in upper-extremity blood pressures (right arm greater than left), elevated jugular venous pressure, and leg edema. A two-dimensional echocardiogram revealed an ejection fraction of 20%. During angiography a heavily calcified lesion was noted in the aortic arch, across which a significant gradient was measured. Computed tomographic scanning identified a focal calcified area in the aortic arch and diffuse atherosclerosis elsewhere. Acquired thromboatheromatous coarctation of the aorta is an uncommon entity found in patients who smoke and are hypertensive. It is almost always seen in conjunction with severe peripheral vascular disease, which this patient had. She was started on heart failure therapy and referred for surgical repair.