ST Segment Elevation with Normal Coronaries

Pooja Sethi1, Ghulam Murtaza2, Ashwini Sharma3

  • 1Department of Cardiology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37604, USA.

Insights

Noncardiac conditions, such as acute pancreatitis, can mimic heart attacks by causing ST elevation on EKGs. Promptly ruling out cardiac events allows for diagnosis and treatment of these abdominal pathologies, resolving EKG abnormalities.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • ST elevation on electrocardiograms (EKGs) typically indicates acute myocardial infarction.
  • Noncardiac conditions can rarely present with ST elevation, complicating diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight abdominal pathologies as a differential diagnosis for ST elevation on EKG.
  • To emphasize the importance of considering noncardiac causes when ST elevation is observed.

Main Methods:

  • Case review and literature synthesis.
  • Differential diagnosis of ST elevation on EKG.

Main Results:

  • Abdominal pathologies, specifically acute pancreatitis and acute cholecystitis, can manifest as ST elevation in the inferior leads.
  • Resolution of EKG changes occurs upon successful treatment of the underlying abdominal condition.

Conclusions:

  • Noncardiac etiologies, particularly abdominal pathologies, must be considered in the differential diagnosis of ST elevation.
  • Prompt identification and management of conditions like acute pancreatitis can resolve electrocardiographic abnormalities.

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