Dawn's picture
Submitted by Dawn on Fri, 10/19/2012 - 20:46

This is a good example of acute anterior wall M.I., with ST elevation in V1 through V6, as well as in Leads I and aVL.  The extensive distribution of ST segment elevations across the anterior and high lateral walls indicates a proximal LAD artery occlusion.  In addition, this ECG shows right bundle branch block, with a QRS width of 144 ms (.14 sec.) and an rsR' pattern in V1. There is also a wide s wave in Lead I which is partly obscurred in V6 by the ST elevation.  The right axis deviation (98 degrees) suggests a left posterior fascicular block which, when coupled with the RBBB, is a bi-fascicular block.  P waves are difficult to see.  Do you think they are found at the end of the QRS complexes, representing a long first-degree AVB?  Look at leads V3 through V6 for clues.

Please feel free to add your comments below.  The more "gurus" the better.

A good ECG to teach your students that a patient facing a life-threatening emergency may have a "normal" rate and regular rhythm.  There is something in this ECG for beginners through advanced students.

Related Terms: 
Anterior wall M.I.
Myocardial infarction
Bifascicular block
Right bundle branch block
Left posterior fascicular block
ST elevation
STEMI
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jamie_bisson's picture

Submitted by jamie_bisson on Sun, 10/21/2012 - 06:16

Great ECG there!

 

Even the novice could not miss that MI, but would they pick up the bifascicular block?

 

Jamie Bisson
http://www.eadvancedhealthcare.com/healthcare-resources/ecg-interpretati...

ekgpress@mac.com's picture

Submitted by [email protected] on Mon, 10/22/2012 - 13:14

Nice illustrative example by Dawn - with a number of teaching points:

  • Figuring out the axis in a tracing with RBBB is challenging. One focuses on the FIRST part of the QRS deflection (ie, the straight part) - which as Dawn indicates in lead I is clearly negative. Thus, there is LPHB as well as RBBB here.
  • Signs of a very large MI (likely due to very proximal LAD occlusion) are many - diffuse precordial ST elevation AND also in leads I, aVL - and the RBBB/LPHB. Hard to know if the conduction defects are new or old (without a prior tracing) - but assuming they are new - the patient is at high risk of developing either complete AV block and/or cardiogenic shock.
  • I do not see sinus P waves .... I hesitate to diagnose 1st degree based on what I see - but rather am entertaining possible 2:1 AV block vs accelerated junctional rhythm. Additional strips are needed to clarify what the rhythm is (with this being another sign of poor large infarct and poor prognosis).

For anyone interested - I've made a site to assist in localization of the MI and identification of the culprit vessel. GO TO: https://www.kg-ekgpress.com/ecg_-_coronary_anatomy-mi_localization/

Ken Grauer, MD  www.kg-ekgpress.com   [email protected] 

Dawn's picture

Submitted by Dawn on Mon, 10/22/2012 - 22:23

Thanks, Dr Ken, for your great teaching points. We wish we had a long rhythm strip. It's frustrating to be unsure of the rhythm, but the danger is clear for this patient, as you pointed out. I encourage all instructors and students to follow Dr Ken Grauer's link to his information on localizing MIs   

Dawn Altman, Admin

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