Wandering ST-Segment in Acute Coronary Syndrome: The Einthoven's Twist
Bharath Raj Kidambi1, Sriram Veeraraghavan2, Soorampally Vijay3
1Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, IND.
Insights
ST-segment axis shifts in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can confuse diagnosis. This study presents two cases of wandering ST-segment axis in acute coronary syndrome, detailing their management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrocardiography
- Acute Coronary Syndromes
Background:
- The ST-segment axis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is vital for identifying the affected artery and guiding revascularization.
- Abrupt changes in ST-segment axis during patient management can lead to diagnostic uncertainty and treatment delays.
Observation:
- This report details two cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presenting with a wandering ST-segment axis.
- Potential causes for ST-segment axis shifts include lead misplacement, evolving myocardial injury, coronary vasospasm, thrombus migration, and aortic dissection.
Findings:
- The study focuses on the diagnostic challenges and clinical implications of a wandering ST-segment axis in ACS.
- Management strategies for these complex cases are discussed, highlighting the importance of accurate interpretation.
Implications:
- Understanding and recognizing wandering ST-segment axis is crucial for timely and accurate diagnosis in ACS.
- Prompt identification can prevent unnecessary investigations and expedite appropriate treatment, improving patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Interpretation of the ST-segment axis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) plays a crucial role in identifying the culprit artery and optimizing revascularization strategies. In certain conditions, the ST-segment axis may abruptly change during management, creating diagnostic confusion, provoking unnecessary workups, and causing treatment delays. Some reported causes of wandering ST-segment include lead misplacement, progressive injury, coronary vasospasm, migration of the thrombus, and aortic dissection. Here we describe two exciting cases of wandering ST-segment axis in acute coronary syndrome and its management.
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