Myocardial Infarction in a Patient With Left Bundle Branch Pacing
Shengjia Sun1, Alimujiang Maimaitijiang1
1Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Left bundle branch pacing can mask acute myocardial infarction. A decrease in QRS amplitude, not ST-segment changes, signaled a critical blockage, necessitating urgent angiography.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Pacing rhythms, such as left bundle branch pacing (LBBP), can complicate the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
- Standard electrocardiogram (ECG) findings for AMI may be altered in patients with LBBP.
Background:
A pacing rhythm can delay the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.
Case Summary:
A patient with chest pain and left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) was admitted to the emergency department. His subsequent electrocardiogram did not show dynamic ST-segment changes but a decrease in QRS amplitude in the anterior wall. Emergency angiography showed total occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery.
Discussion:
This case highlights that in patients with chest pain and LBBP: 1) dynamic ST-segment changes may be absent even in the setting of total coronary occlusion; 2) dynamic QRS amplitude reduction can be a critical sign of ongoing myocardial ischemia and infarction; and 3) emergency angiography is warranted when angina cannot be relieved despite drug therapy, even if ST-T changes are absent.
Take-Home Messages:
In patients with chest pain and LBBP, a dynamic decrease in QRS amplitude should be considered as significant as ST-segment deviation. Emergency coronary angiography is crucial for timely intervention, especially when patients' symptoms persist.
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