Pseudo-Wellens syndrome, acute pancreatitis, and an anomalous coronary artery: a case report

ST segment and T wave abnormalities: A narrative review

INTRODUCTION

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a valuable tool for interpreting ventricular repolarization. This article aims to broaden the diagnostic scope beyond the conventional ischemia-centric approach, integrating an understanding of pathophisiological influences on ST-T wave changes.

METHODS

A review was conducted on the physiological underpinnings of ventricular repolarization and the pathophisiological processes that can change ECG patterns. The research encompassed primary repolarization abnormalities due to uniform variations in ventricular action potential, secondary changes from electrical or mechanical alterations, and non-ischemic conditions influencing ST-T segments.

RESULTS

Primary T waves are characterized by symmetrical waves with broad bases and variable QT intervals, indicative of direct myocardial action potential modifications due to ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, and channelopathies. Secondary T waves are asymmetric and often unassociated with significant QT interval changes, suggesting depolarization alterations or changes in cardiac geometry and contractility.

CONCLUSION

We advocate for a unified ECG analysis, recognizing primary and secondary ST-T changes, and their clinical implications. Our proposed analytical framework enhances the clinician's ability to discern a wide array of cardiac conditions, extending diagnostic accuracy beyond myocardial ischemia.

Acute pancreatitis presented with diffuse ST-segment elevation: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Although electrocardiographic changes have been previously reported in patients with acute pancreatitis, diffuse ST-segment elevation without occluded coronary arteries is rarely documented.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 45-year-old man presented to our emergency department due to persistent epigastric pain for 2 hours. However, ECG in the emergency department revealed regular sinus rhythm at 67 beats per minute, peaked T waves in lead V3-5, and upsloping ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, aVF, and V2-6.

DIAGNOSIS

He was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and presented with diffuse ST-segment elevation.

INTERVENTIONS

Laboratory workup and computed tomography supported the diagnosis of acute gallstone pancreatitis and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed. Coronary angiography showed patent coronary arteries finally.

OUTCOMES

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic papillo-sphincterotomy were performed, and the stone in the common bile duct was removed smoothly without immediate complication. Due to his relatively stable condition, he was discharged on day 7 of admission.

CONCLUSION

We presented an uncommon case of acute pancreatitis demonstrating similar features of AMI. This reminds cardiologists and emergency physicians to make the judgment with more caution to avoid jumping to conclusions and providing inappropriate treatment.

Case Report: Abnormal ECG in a Patient With Acute Pancreatitis

Background: Both acute pancreatitis and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are rapidly progressive and frequently fatal diseases that can be interrelated and lead to a vicious cycle for further problems. The concomitant occurrence of AMI and acute pancreatitis is rare but critical, and efficient diagnosis and treatment of such patients are challenging.

Case Summary: We reported an uncommon case of abnormal ECG findings in a 63-year-old woman with acute pancreatitis. The patient exhibited increased biomarkers of myocardial injury, such as creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and troponin T, as well as ST segment elevation in inferior leads II, III, and aVF. Both of these have been previously observed in patients with acute abdomen in the absence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), including pancreatitis. In addition, lacking complaints of chest pain or tightness was also supportive of this idea. Echocardiography indicated abnormalities in the functioning of the left inferior posterior wall segments and decreased overall systolic function of the left ventricle with a 51% ejection fraction. Eventually, AMI was diagnosed after coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) showing critical stenosis of the right coronary artery and left anterior descending artery segments. The patient was urgently transferred to intensive care unit and was treated with anticoagulation, antiplatelet aggregation, lipid-lowering and other palliative drugs.

Conclusion: Concomitant acute pancreatitis and AMI are often considered to be critical conditions with a poor prognosis. Therefore, it is important to rapidly identify this condition and consider transferring patients for multidisciplinary supportive care.

Pseudo-Wellens syndrome from sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Pseudo-Wellens syndrome is a rare entity characterized by the presence of electrocardiogram (ECG) changes of Wellens syndrome but without the stenosis of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. In previous reports, pseudo-Wellens syndrome most commonly resulted from recreational drug use or unidentified etiologies. We present a unique case of pseudo-Wellens syndrome due to sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy and a review of the literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 62-year-old Caucasian woman was admitted for sepsis from left foot cellulitis. Laboratory data were notable for elevated lactate of 2.5 mmol/L and evidence of acute kidney injury. She developed chest pain on the third day of hospitalization. ECG showed symmetric T-wave inversion in leads V1-V4. Serial troponin I levels were within normal limits. Chest imaging showed no pulmonary embolism. Echocardiogram showed ejection fraction of 25%, left ventricular diastolic diameter of 4.6 cm, and multiple segmental wall motion abnormalities. Cardiac catheterization showed patent coronary arteries. The hospital course was complicated by transient sinus bradycardia and hypotension. She was hospitalized for a total of 17 days. ECG prior to discharge showed resolution of T-wave changes.

CONCLUSION

Pseudo-Wellens syndrome may result from myocardial ischemia due to vasospasm or myocardial edema from external insults. In our case, we suspect sepsis-related cytokine production resulting in cardiomyopathy and pseudo-Wellens syndrome. The clinical manifestations were indistinguishable between Wellens and pseudo-Wellens syndrome. Physicians should include the diagnosis of pseudo-Wellens syndrome when considering the presence of LAD coronary artery occlusion given risk stratifications.

Because I Got High: Marijuana Induced Pseudo-Wellen's Syndrome

Wellen's syndrome is a pattern on ECG that signifies impending acute myocardial infarction (MI) of the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery. This same pattern can also be noted in several benign diseases that may mimic Wellen's syndrome. Here we discuss a 36-year-old patient with no cardiac risk factors who presented with typical angina shortly after smoking marijuana. Upon arrival to the ED, an electrocardiogram revealed new biphasic T wave inversions in the anterolateral leads and cardiac biomarkers were found to be elevated. The patient was taken for emergent coronary angiography which revealed widely patent coronary arteries. Soon after, the patient was diagnosed with Pseudo-Wellen's syndrome secondary to cannabis use. This case report highlights the importance of identifying causes that may resemble Wellen's syndrome, especially in young adults without risk factors for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recognizing these cases can help avoid further invasive diagnostic testing, along with the complications that may go along with it.