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A Rare Case of Hypothermia-Induced ST Segment Elevation

Arnold N Forlemu1, Hursh Sarma1, Mohammad Khatib1

  • 1Internal Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, USA.

Cureus
|August 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Recognizing hypothermia

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) requires prompt recognition for critical management and improved outcomes, often necessitating emergent cardiac catheterization.
  • Numerous conditions can mimic STEMI on electrocardiography (EKG), including pulmonary embolism, myocarditis, and hypothermia, necessitating accurate diagnosis to avoid unnecessary interventions.

Observation:

  • This report details a case where prominent Osborn waves on EKG, indicative of significant hypothermia, were mistakenly diagnosed as STEMI.
  • The case highlights the potential for hypothermia to present with EKG findings that mimic acute myocardial infarction.

Findings:

  • The study reviews the EKG manifestations of hypothermia, elucidating the underlying mechanisms of these changes.
  • Differential diagnoses for ST segment elevation are discussed, emphasizing the importance of considering hypothermia in the differential.

Implications:

  • Accurate identification of hypothermia's EKG changes is crucial to prevent misdiagnosis of STEMI and avoid inappropriate cardiac catheterization.
  • Understanding these mimics improves patient management, optimizes treatment strategies, and enhances overall patient outcomes in critical care settings.

Keywords:
differential diagnosisekghypothermiaosborn wavest segment elevation

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