Electrocardiographic presentation of acute left main coronary artery occlusion misinterpreted as ventricular
Andreas Y Andreou1, Theodoros Christou2, Lida Efstathia Koskina3
1Department of Cardiology, Limassol General Hospital, Limassol, Cyprus; University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Insights
A specific electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern, often mistaken for ventricular tachycardia (VT), can indicate acute left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusion. Early recognition of this STEMI indicator is crucial for timely intervention.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Diagnostics
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Acute left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusion is a critical condition often presenting with severe symptoms.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings can be complex and sometimes misinterpreted, leading to diagnostic delays.
- The "triangular" or "lambda-like" QRS-ST-T complex pattern has been associated with acute myocardial ischemia.
Abstract:
We present a case of acute left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusion that manifested cardiogenic shock and an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern comprising "triangular" or "lambda-like" QRS-ST-T complexes. The presenting ECG pattern was misinterpreted as ventricular tachycardia (VT) with resultant delayed emergency percutaneous coronary intervention. The patient died of intractable cardiogenic shock. This case corroborates previous research findings associating the ECG pattern comprising "triangular" or "lambda-like" QRS-ST-T complexes observed in the clinical setting of acute myocardial ischemia with acute LMCA occlusion. Also, we demonstrate how this ECG pattern should be scrutinized for ST-segment elevation in order to avoid misdiagnosing a STEMI for VT.
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