0
Letters |

Electrocardiographic Findings in Non–ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial InfarctionElectrocardiographic Findings in Non–ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

JAMA. 2005;293(4):423-424. doi:10.1001/jama.293.4.423-a
Text Size: A A A
Published online

ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN NON–ST-SEGMENT ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

To the Editor: In the Grand Rounds on antiplatelet therapy in non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction,1 Dr Schulman describes a patient with findings that seem inconsistent with this diagnosis. The patient’s electrocardiogram had ST-segment elevation in lead aVR. Although this was noted to be suggestive of inferior and lateral ischemia and an independent risk factor for in-hospital death, Schulman does not consider the significance of the concomitant smaller 1 mm ST-segment elevation in lead V1. The combination of ST-segment elevations in aVR and V1, with the former being larger than the latter, is a marker of proximal left main coronary artery occlusion.2 Indeed, this patient’s angiogram showed just such a stenosis. Therefore, the patient does not fall into the conventional non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction population in that multiple territories were at risk. I believe that it would have been more appropriate for him to have been triaged for rapid angiographic evaluation instead of coronary care unit admission and treatment with multiple antiplatelet agents. While there is strong evidence supporting use of clopidogrel in non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction,3 its use in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction remains an open question.4 5

References
Schulman SP. Antiplatelet therapy in non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.  JAMA. 2004;2921875-1888
PubMed
Yamaji H, Iwasaki K, Kusachi S.  et al.  Prediction of acute left main coronary artery obstruction by 12-lead electrocardiography: ST segment elevation in lead aVR with less ST segment elevation in lead V1 J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;381348-1354
PubMed
Yusuf S, Zhao F, Mehta SR.  et al.  Effects of clopidogrel in addition to aspirin in patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation.  N Engl J Med. 2001;345494-502
PubMed
Second Chinese Cardiac Study (CCS-2) Collaborative Group.  Rationale, design and organization of the second Chinese Cardiac Study (CCS-2): a randomized trial of clopidogrel plus aspirin, and of metoprolol, among patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction.  J Cardiovasc Risk. 2000;7435-441
PubMed
Tran H, Anand SS. Oral antiplatelet therapy in cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and peripheral arterial disease.  JAMA. 2004;2921867-1874
PubMed

First Page Preview

First page PDF preview

Figures

Tables

Interactive Graphics

Video

Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature

Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal

Schulman SP. Antiplatelet therapy in non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.  JAMA. 2004;2921875-1888
PubMed
Yamaji H, Iwasaki K, Kusachi S.  et al.  Prediction of acute left main coronary artery obstruction by 12-lead electrocardiography: ST segment elevation in lead aVR with less ST segment elevation in lead V1 J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001;381348-1354
PubMed
Yusuf S, Zhao F, Mehta SR.  et al.  Effects of clopidogrel in addition to aspirin in patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation.  N Engl J Med. 2001;345494-502
PubMed
Second Chinese Cardiac Study (CCS-2) Collaborative Group.  Rationale, design and organization of the second Chinese Cardiac Study (CCS-2): a randomized trial of clopidogrel plus aspirin, and of metoprolol, among patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction.  J Cardiovasc Risk. 2000;7435-441
PubMed
Tran H, Anand SS. Oral antiplatelet therapy in cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and peripheral arterial disease.  JAMA. 2004;2921867-1874
PubMed
CME Course for:


You need to register in order to view this quiz.


To understand the clinical management of acute heart failure syndromes.
Accreditation Information The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The AMA designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM per course. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Physicians who complete the CME course and score at least 80% correct on the quiz are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM.
Note: You must get at least of the answers correct to pass this quiz.
Note: You must get at least of the answers correct to pass this quiz.
You have not filled in all the answers to complete this quiz
The following questions were not answered:
Sorry, you have unsuccessfully completed this CME quiz with a score of
The following questions were not answered correctly:
For CME Course: A Proposed Model for Initial Assessment and Management of Acute Heart Failure Syndromes
Indicate what changes(s) you will implement in your practice, if any, based on this CME course.
To view and print your certificate and access a summary of your CME courses go to My CME.
NOTE:
Citing articles are presented as examples only. In non-demo SCM6 implementation, integration with CrossRef’s “Cited By” API will populate this tab (http://www.crossref.org/citedby.html).
Submit a Response

Some tools below are only available to our subscribers or users with an online account.

Related Content

Customize your page view by dragging & repositioning the boxes below.