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This page covers the ECG signs of myocardial ischaemia seen with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes. ST-elevation / Q-wave
myocardial infarction patterns are covered elsewhere (see links at bottom of page).
Background
Non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) encompasses two main entities:
Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
Unstable angina (UA).
The differentiation between these two conditions is usually retrospective, based on the presence/absence of raised cardiac enzymes at 8-12
hours after the onset of chest pain. Both produce the same spectrum of ECG changes and symptoms and are managed identically in the
Emergency Department.
While there are numerous conditions that may simulate myocardial ischaemia (e.g. left ventricular hypertrophy, digoxin effect),
dynamic ST segment and T wave changes (i.e. different from baseline ECG or changing over time) are strongly suggestive of
myocardial ischaemia.
Click on the links above to read more about the different causes of ST segment and T wave abnormalities.
Other ECG patterns of ischaemia
Hyperacute (peaked) T waves or pseudonormalisation of previously inverted T waves (i.e. becoming upright) suggest
hyperacute STEMI.
Another, less well-known ECG feature of myocardial ischaemia is U-wave inversion.
Morphology Of ST Depression
ST depression can be either upsloping, downsloping, or horizontal (see diagram below).
Horizontal or downsloping ST depression 0.5 mm at the J-point in 2 contiguous leads indicates myocardial
ischaemia (according to the 2007 Task Force Criteria).
ST depression 1 mm is more specific and conveys a worse prognosis.
ST depression 2 mm in 3 leads is associated with a high probability of NSTEMI and predicts significant mortality
(35% mortality at 30 days).
Upsloping ST depression is non-specific for myocardial ischaemia.
T wave inversion
T wave inversion may be considered to be evidence of myocardial ischaemia if:
At least 1 mm deep
Present in 2 continuous leads that have dominant R waves (R/S ratio > 1)
Dynamic not present on old ECG or changing over time
NB. T wave inversion is only significant if seen in leads with upright QRS complexes (dominant R waves). T wave inversion is a normal
variant in leads III, aVR and V1.
Widespread T wave inversion due to myocardial ischaemia (most prominent in the lateral leads)
Wellens Syndrome
Wellens syndrome is a pattern of inverted or biphasic T waves in V2-4 (in patients presenting with ischaemic chest pain)
that is highly specific for critical stenosis of the left anterior descending artery.
Patients may be pain free by the time the ECG is taken and have normally or minimally elevated cardiac enzymes;
however, they are at extremely high risk for extensive anterior wall MI within the next 2-3 weeks.
There are two patterns of T-wave abnormality in Wellens syndrome:
Type 1 Wellens T-waves are deeply and symmetrically inverted
Type 2 Wellens T-waves are biphasic, with the initial deflection positive and the terminal deflection negative
Wellens Type 1
Wellens Type 2
T wave flattening
Upsloping ST depression
Subendocardial ischaemia:
The most striking abnormality is the widespread ST depression, seen in leads I, II and V5-6. This is consistent with
widespread subendocardial ischaemia.
There is also some subtle ST elevation in V1-2 and aVR with small Q waves in V1-2, suggesting that the cause of the
widespread ischaemia is a proximal LAD occlusion.
Example 2
Reciprocal change:
The most obvious abnormality is the horizontal ST depression in III and aVF.
This could be misinterpreted as inferior ischaemia however, subendocardial ischaemia does not localise.
Regional ST depression should prompt you to scrutinise the ECG for signs of reciprocal ST elevation In this case there
is subtle ST elevation in aVL.
This is a high lateral STEMI!
Dr Stephen Smith covers two similar cases on his excellent ECG blog.
Example 3
Wellens Syndrome:
There are abnormal T waves in V1-4 biphasic in V1-3 and inverted in V4.
This pattern is known as Type 2 Wellens Syndrome and is highly specific for a critical stenosis of the proximal LAD
artery.
Example 4a
Example 4b
ECG of the same patient after treatment with oxygen, nitrates, heparin and antiplatelets:
The ST changes have now resolved.
Inferior ST segments and Q waves are stable this patient had a history of prior inferior MI.
Troponin was raised, confirming that the initial ST depression was due to NSTEMI.
Example 5
This is an infrequently recognised but very specific sign of myocardial ischaemia this patient had a 12-hour troponin
of 4.0 ng/mL.
To find out the full story behind this ECG, click here.