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vonRosenberg J, Thomson DP. Dogmalysis. Air Med J 2023; 42:280-282. [PMID: 37356891 DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Air medical and critical care providers encounter the extremes of being both in-hospital and out-of-hospital clinicians, work in unpredictable environments, and treat patients with the most significant injury patterns and diagnoses. These demands highlight the need to recognize unique mental challenges for those who work in the air medical environment and the process by which providers make decisions. Patients who present with a high-acuity/low-volume pathology generate particularly difficult situations with abundant opportunity for both celebrations of performance and learning from mistakes. There are times when the desired option of therapy is not available, the most appropriate destination is not feasible, or the crew is unable to address every aspect of patient care with resources that are immediately available. Although it is logical to make decisions based on anatomic and physiological knowledge, the absence of an actual answer does not necessitate the acceptance of consensus. Dogmalysis refers to the dissolution of authoritative tenets held as established opinion without adequate grounds. This article highlights the importance of dogmalysis, the value of honest scientific reflection, and the aggressive seeking of evidence-based answers as it pertains to the air medical environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David P Thomson
- Human Performance Clinical Research Laboratory, Colorado State University, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Fort Collins, CO.
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Kazemi E, Mansoursamaei A, Bijan M, Hosseinzadeh A, Sheibani H. The prognostic effect of ST-elevation in lead aVR on coronary artery disease, and outcome in acute coronary syndrome patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Med Res 2022; 27:302. [PMID: 36539835 PMCID: PMC9769006 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-022-00931-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid diagnosis of coronary artery disease has an important role in saving patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate if aVR lead ST-elevation (STE) can predict LM/3VD, left main (LM) disease, and three-vessel disease (3VD), outcome in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. METHODS In this systematic review and meta-analysis, 45 qualified studies were entered. Scopus, Pub med, Google scholar, Web of science, Cochrane library were searched on 12 November 2021. RESULTS This systematic review includes 52,175 participants. In patients with STE, the total odds ratios for LM, 3VD, and LM/3VD were 5.48 (95% CI 3.88, 7.76), 2.21 (95% CI 1.78, 3.27), and 6.21 (95% CI 3.49, 11,6), respectively. STE in lead aVR was linked with in-hospital death (OR = 2.99, CI 1.90, 4.72) and 90-day mortality (OR = 3.09, CI 2.17, 4.39), despite the fact that it could not predict 30-day mortality (OR = 1.11, CI 0.95, 1.31). The STE > 1 mm subgroup had the highest sensitivity for LM (0.9, 95% CI 0.82, 0.98), whereas the STE > 0.5 mm (0.76, 95% CI 0.61, 0.90) subgroup had the highest sensitivity for LM/3VD. The appropriate cut-off point with highest specificity for LM/3VD and LM was STE > 1.5 mm (0.80, 95% CI 0.75, 0.85) and STE > 0.5 mm, respectively (0.75, 95% CI 0.67, 0.84, I2 = 97%). CONCLUSION The odds of LM and LM/3VD were higher than 3VD in ACS patients with STE in lead aVR. Also, STE > 0.5 mm was the best cut-off point to screen LM/3VD, whereas for LM diagnosis, STE > 1 mm had the highest sensitivity. Furthermore, LM/3VD had a higher overall specificity than LM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erfan Kazemi
- grid.444858.10000 0004 0384 8816Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Ali Mansoursamaei
- grid.444858.10000 0004 0384 8816Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Morteza Bijan
- grid.444858.10000 0004 0384 8816Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Ali Hosseinzadeh
- grid.444858.10000 0004 0384 8816Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Hossein Sheibani
- Clinical Research Development Unit, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Imam Ave., Shahroud, 3616911151 Iran
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Hong JG, Zeng ZY. Predictive value of ST-segment deviation in aVR in patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome: A retrospective cohort study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e29994. [PMID: 35984125 PMCID: PMC9387997 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000029994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in the ST-segment in aVR of electrocardiogram have been used to predict the morbidity of left main and/or 3-vessel disease (LM/3-VD) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the association with patient prognosis has rarely been reported. A total of 274 patients diagnosed with ACS were retrospectively evaluated following allocation into 1 of 3 groups: the ST-segment elevation (STE) group ≥ 0.05 mV, ST-segment depression (STD) group ≥ 0.05 mV, and the Isoelectric group in aVR. A comparison of clinical characteristics, coronary angiography results, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and GRACE risk score was made. Patients in the STE and STD groups were older and had a lower LVEF, a greater number of MACE and higher GRACE risk score, compared with patients in the isoelectric group. Patients in the STE group had significantly greater morbidity due to LM/3-VD than did the non-STE groups. In addition, as the amplitude of STE in aVR increased, the number of MACE, GRACE risk score, and the incidence of LM/3-VD increased. Furthermore, after adjusting for other clinical factors, multivariate statistical results indicated that STE ≥ 0.05 mV in aVR was the only predictor of LM/3-VD, whereas STD ≥ 0.05 mV was not. It was found that STE or STD ≥ 0.05 mV in aVR was an independent predictor of MACE. STE ≥ 0.05 mV in aVR is associated with LM/3-VD. Furthermore, ST-segment deviation in aVR may have prognostic value of MACE and associated with higher GRACE risk scores in patients with ACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Ge Hong
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhi-Yu Zeng
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Liu W, Ji J, Chang S, Wang H, He J, Huang Q. EvoMBN: Evolving Multi-Branch Networks on Myocardial Infarction Diagnosis Using 12-Lead Electrocardiograms. BIOSENSORS 2021; 12:15. [PMID: 35049642 PMCID: PMC8773852 DOI: 10.3390/bios12010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Multi-branch Networks (MBNs) have been successfully applied to myocardial infarction (MI) diagnosis using 12-lead electrocardiograms. However, most existing MBNs share a fixed architecture. The absence of architecture optimization has become a significant obstacle to a more accurate diagnosis for these MBNs. In this paper, an evolving neural network named EvoMBN is proposed for MI diagnosis. It utilizes a genetic algorithm (GA) to automatically learn the optimal MBN architectures. A novel fixed-length encoding method is proposed to represent each architecture. In addition, the crossover, mutation, selection, and fitness evaluation of the GA are defined to ensure the architecture can be optimized through evolutional iterations. A novel Lead Squeeze and Excitation (LSE) block is designed to summarize features from all the branch networks. It consists of a fully-connected layer and an LSE mechanism that assigns weights to different leads. Five-fold inter-patient cross validation experiments on MI detection and localization are performed using the PTB diagnostic database. Moreover, the model architecture learned from the PTB database is transferred to the PTB-XL database without any changes. Compared with existing studies, our EvoMBN shows superior generalization and the efficiency of its flexible architecture is suitable for auxiliary MI diagnosis in real-world.
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Ruiz-Mateos B, Almendro-Delia M, Nunez-Gil IJ, García-Borbolla R, Vivas D, Seoane-García T, Lorenzo-Lopez B, Garcia-Gonzalez N, Fernandez-Ortiz A, Hidalgo-Urbano R, Ibanez B, Garcia-Rubira JC. Elevation of ST-segment in aVR is predictive of cardiogenic shock but not of multivessel disease in inferior myocardial infarction. J Electrocardiol 2020; 58:63-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2019.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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ECG analysis in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing invasive management: rationale and design of the electrocardiography sub-study of the MATRIX trial. J Electrocardiol 2019; 57:44-54. [PMID: 31491602 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2019.08.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The twelve‑lead electrocardiogram (ECG) has become an essential tool for the diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, several areas of residual controversies or gaps in evidence exist. Among them, P-wave abnormalities identifying atrial ischemia/infarction are largely neglected in clinical practice, and their diagnostic and prognostic implications remain elusive; the value of ECG to identify the culprit lesion has been investigated, but validated criteria indicating the presence of coronary occlusion in patients without ST-elevation are lacking; finally, which criteria among the multiple proposed, better define pathological Q-waves or success of revascularisation deserve further investigations. METHODS The Minimizing Adverse hemorrhagic events via TRansradial access site and systemic Implementation of AngioX (MATRIX) trial was designed to test the impact of bleeding avoidance strategies on ischemic and bleeding outcomes across the whole spectrum of patients with ACS receiving invasive management. The ECG-MATRIX is a pre-specified sub-study of the MATRIX programme which aims at analyzing the clinical value of ECG metrics in 4516 ACS patients (with and without ST-segment elevation in 2212 and 2304 cases, respectively) with matched pre and post-treatment ECGs. CONCLUSIONS This study represents a unique opportunity to further investigate the role of ECGs in the diagnosis and risk stratification of ACS patients with or without ST-segment deviation, as well as to assess whether the radial approach and bivalirudin may affect post-treatment ECG metrics and patterns in a large contemporary ACS population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A Brenes-Salazar
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Dr. Galen Wagner (1939-2016) as an Academic Writer: An Overview of his Peer-reviewed Scientific Publications. J Electrocardiol 2017; 50:47-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2016.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Ghaffari S, Asadzadeh R, Tajlil A, Mohammadalian A, Pourafkari L. Predictive Value of Exercise Stress Test-Induced ST-Segment Changes in Leads V 1 and avR in Determining Angiographic Coronary Involvement. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2017; 22:e12370. [PMID: 27220780 PMCID: PMC6931716 DOI: 10.1111/anec.12370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The significance of electrocardiographic changes during exercise tolerance testing for distinguishing occluded artery is not well known. We tried to determine the role of ST elevation in leads aVR and V1 during exercise in detecting stenosis of left main coronary artery and proximal left anterior descending artery. METHODS ST segment changes during exercise in 230 patients, who underwent diagnostic angiography, were documented. The association of ST elevation in lead aVR, V1 , leads aVR + V1 , and STE in leads aVR + V1 with ST depression in other leads with pattern of coronary stenosis were investigated. RESULTS Left main and proximal left anterior artery stenosis were more common in patients with ST elevation in lead aVR (P < 0.001 for both). Similar association was found in the presence of ST elevation in lead V1 . The presence of ST elevation ≥1 mm in lead aVR had a sensitivity of 100% and 94.3% for detecting left main and left anterior descending artery stenosis, respectively. The specificity was 33.5% and 26.6%, respectively. ST elevation in leads aVR + V1 had a sensitivity of 74.4% and 65.9% and a specificity of 68.5% and 64.4% for detecting left main and left anterior descending arteries stenosis, respectively. CONCLUSION ST elevation in lead aVR is highly sensitive for left main and proximal left anterior descending artery lesions. Using ST elevation in lead V1 in addition to lead aVR as a positive finding increases the specificity with a further decrease in sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samad Ghaffari
- Cardiovascular Research CenterTabriz University of MedicineTabrizIran
| | - Reza Asadzadeh
- Cardiovascular Research CenterTabriz University of MedicineTabrizIran
| | - Arezou Tajlil
- Cardiovascular Research CenterTabriz University of MedicineTabrizIran
| | | | - Leili Pourafkari
- Cardiovascular Research CenterTabriz University of MedicineTabrizIran
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Sadowski M, Gutkowski W, Raczyński G, Janion-Sadowska A, Gierlotka M, Poloński L. Acute myocardial infarction due to left main coronary artery disease in men and women: does ST-segment elevation matter? Arch Med Sci 2015; 11:1197-204. [PMID: 26788080 PMCID: PMC4697053 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2015.56345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gender-specific issues regarding ST-segment elevation (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) due to unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease were not sufficiently studied. We assessed the value of STEMI/NSTEMI initial classification on the management of men and women with acute MI due to critical stenosis or occlusion of the ULMCA. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group consisted of 643 consecutive patients with acute MI with the ULMCA as the infarct-related artery. Data derive from an ongoing, nationwide, multicenter, prospective, observational registry. RESULTS Isolated ULMCA disease was more frequent in women and multivessel disease was more frequent in men in the NSTEMI group. The incidence of cardiogenic shock or pulmonary edema and cardiac arrest was higher in the STEMI group. Totally occluded ULMCA was more frequent in the STEMI group. Although the majority of patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), it was less frequently used in NSTEMI women and NSTEMI men. Although in-hospital and long-term mortality rates were higher in the STEMI group, there were no gender-related differences within groups. The initial ST-segment elevation was an independent predictor of in-hospital (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.14-4.91, p = 0.02) and 12-month (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.01-2.27, p = 0.045) mortality. CONCLUSIONS There were no gender-related differences in the management within the STEMI or NSTEMI group. Although acute myocardial infarction due to ULMCA disease is associated with high mortality in both genders, STEMI was a negative prognostic factor of in-hospital and 12-month mortality. Despite poor baseline characteristics and clinical presentation in women, female gender itself did not influence mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Sadowski
- Department of Interventional Cardiology, Świętokrzyskie Cardiology Center, Kielce, Poland
| | - Wojciech Gutkowski
- Department of Interventional Cardiology, Świętokrzyskie Cardiology Center, Kielce, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Raczyński
- Department of Interventional Cardiology, Świętokrzyskie Cardiology Center, Kielce, Poland
| | | | - Marek Gierlotka
- 3 Department of Cardiology, Silesian Center for Heart Diseases, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Lech Poloński
- 3 Department of Cardiology, Silesian Center for Heart Diseases, Zabrze, Poland
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Pourafkari L, Tajlil A, Mahmoudi SS, Ghaffari S. The Value of Lead aVR ST Segment Changes in Localizing Culprit Lesion in Acute Inferior Myocardial Infarction and Its Prognostic Impact. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2015; 21:389-96. [PMID: 26523845 DOI: 10.1111/anec.12324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying infarct-related artery (IRA) in patients with inferior ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has prognostic and therapeutic benefits. OBJECTIVES To differentiate IRA and the location of culprit lesion in inferior STEMI, using ST segment changes in lead aVR. METHODS ST segment changes in lead aVR were recorded in 150 patients, admitted with first inferior STEMI. The association of IRA and the location of culprit lesion with ST segment changes in aVR were investigated. RESULTS ST elevation ≥ 0.5 mm in lead aVR was present in 17 patients (11.3%), ST depression ≥ 0.5 mm in 74 patients (49.3%) and 59 patients (39.3%) did not have significant ST segment changes. Right coronary artery (RCA) was the IRA in 117 patients (78%) and left circumflex artery (LCX) in 33 patients (22%). Prevalence of RCA involvement as the IRA was different in three study groups (94.1% in ST elevation group, 83.1% in isoelectric group and 70.3% in ST depression group, P = 0.049). Presence of ST elevation had a sensitivity and specificity of 13.68 % and 96.97%, for detecting RCA lesions, respectively. ST depression had 66.67% sensitivity and 55.56% specificity for identifying LCX lesions. Clinical complications were low in our study with no significant difference among patients of three groups. CONCLUSIONS Presence of ST elevation is highly suggestive of RCA lesions versus LCX lesions, whereas absence of ST elevation cannot rule out RCA lesions. Presence of ST depression has a moderate sensitivity and specificity for LCX lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leili Pourafkari
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Arezou Tajlil
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Samad Ghaffari
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Lam A, Wagner GS, Pahlm O. The classical versus the Cabrera presentation system for resting electrocardiography: Impact on recognition and understanding of clinically important electrocardiographic changes. J Electrocardiol 2015; 48:476-82. [PMID: 26051487 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2015.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The classical system for presentation of the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) reflects the electrical activity of the heart as viewed in the transverse plane by 6 leads with a single anatomically ordered sequence, V1-V6; but in the frontal plane by 6 leads with dual sequences, I, II, and III, and aVR, aVL, and aVF. However, there is also a single anatomically ordered sequence of leads, called the Cabrera display that presents the six frontal plane leads in their anatomically ordered sequence of: aVL, I, -aVR, II, aVF, and III. Although it has been recognized that the Cabrera system has clinical diagnostic advantages compared to the classical display, it is currently only used in Sweden. The primary explanation of why the Cabrera system has not been adopted internationally has been that analog ECG recorders had technical limitations. Currently, however, the classical system is most often seen as a historical remnant that prevails because of conservatism within the cardiology community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anny Lam
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Galen S Wagner
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, 2400 Pratt, Suite 0306, Box 3626, NC, USA.
| | - Olle Pahlm
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
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Binet M, El Khebir M, Barone FA, Ramaherison T. Infarctus ST+ avec sus-décalage de ST en dérivation VR : un facteur de mauvais pronostic. ANNALES FRANCAISES DE MEDECINE D URGENCE 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s13341-014-0490-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Abstract
The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is a crucial tool in the diagnosis and risk stratification of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Unlike other 11 leads, lead aVR has been long neglected until recent years. However, recent investigations have shown that an analysis of ST-segment shift in lead aVR provides useful information on the coronary angiographic anatomy and risk stratification in ACS. ST-segment elevation in lead aVR can be caused by (1) transmural ischemia in the basal part of the interventricular septum caused by impaired coronary blood flow of the first major branch originating from the left anterior descending coronary artery; (2) transmural ischemia in the right ventricular outflow tract caused by impaired coronary blood flow of the large conal branch originating from the right coronary artery; and (3) reciprocal changes opposite to ischemic or non-ischemic ST-segment depression in the lateral limb and precordial leads. On the other hand, ST-segment depression in lead aVR can be caused by transmural ischemia in the inferolateral and apical regions. It has been recently shown that an analysis of T wave in lead aVR also provides useful prognostic information in the general population and patients with prior myocardial infarction. Cardiologists should pay more attention to the tracing of lead aVR when interpreting the 12-lead ECG in clinical practice.
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Wong CK. Reperfusion therapy for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: has ECG information been underutilized? Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2014; 12:803-13. [PMID: 24813345 DOI: 10.1586/14779072.2014.918504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This perspective makes a contentious viewpoint that ECG information is underutilized in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and the next breakthrough rests on its full utilization. This is to better diagnose difficult cases such as ST changes during bundle branch block, posterior ST elevation and right-sided ST elevation during normal conduction, and aVR ST elevation. More importantly, this is to better characterize the STEMI for tailored reperfusion. The proposal is to develop a system capable of recording from multiple electrodes that one can apply onto oneself, and having analysis coordinated centrally via phone-internet transmission. This provides 'longitudinal' in addition to 'cross-sectional' ECG information. STEMI will be classified on a gray-scale according to its potential size and speed of Q wave evolution. The hypothesis is that large rapidly progressive STEMI is best treated by on-site fibrinolysis with prompt transferral to a percutaneous coronary intervention center; while small stuttering STEMI is best treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention despite a long delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheuk-Kit Wong
- Department of Cardiology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin Public Hospital, Dunedin, New Zealand
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