Vnitr Lek 2012, 58(7-8):54-59

Ischemic and non-ischemic causes of ST-segment elevation in patients with chest pain: a systematic review of the literature

M. Levine*, Y. Kanei, M. Rachko, P. Schweitzer
Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

The electrocardiogram remains the most crucial tool in the diagnosis on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. It is rapidly available, easily reproducible, and highly cost effective. To the trained interpreter it is also highly sensitive and specific. Early diagnosis and subsequent treatment of ST-segment myocardial infarction relies on rapid performance and correct interpretation of the electrocardiogram. In addition to acute myocardial infarction, there are multiple other causes of ST-segment elevation in the patient with active chest pain. The clinician must be aware of these differential diagnoses, and be able to quickly confirm or exclude alternative causes of ST-segment elevation. The purpose of this article is to review the electrocardiographic findings in acute myocardial infarction in comparison to other alternative diagnoses that may present with ST-segment elevation. This discussion concludes with three case based examples of atypical causes of ST-segment elevation in the patient with chest pain.

Keywords: electrocardiogram; ST-segment elevation; myocardial infarction; differential diagnosis

Received: May 15, 2012; Published: July 1, 2012  Show citation

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Levine M, Kanei Y, Rachko M, Schweitzer P. Ischemic and non-ischemic causes of ST-segment elevation in patients with chest pain: a systematic review of the literature. Vnitr Lek. 2012;58(7-8):54-59.
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