[Wellens' phenocopy]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Electrocardiography
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Wellens’ syndrome indicates critical left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis.
• ECG findings suggestive of Wellens’ syndrome typically warrant urgent intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify pathological conditions presenting with ECG signs mimicking Wellens’ syndrome.
• To analyze the underlying pathomechanisms of these Wellens’ phenocopies.
• To emphasize the importance of correlating ECG findings with clinical presentation.

Main Methods:

• Review of cases with ECG findings similar to Wellens’ syndrome.
• Analysis of cardiac and non-cardiac etiologies.
• Pathophysiological mechanism investigation.

Main Results:

• Identified various cardiac and non-cardiac diseases that can present as Wellens’ phenocopies.
• Detailed the potential pathomechanisms for these mimic conditions.
• Highlighted the necessity of integrating clinical symptoms with ECG interpretation.

Conclusions:

• ECG findings alone can be misleading; clinical context is essential.
• Accurate diagnosis of Wellens’ phenocopies ensures appropriate and prompt patient management.
• Clinicians must consider differential diagnoses when encountering Wellens’ syndrome-like ECG patterns.