Updated Electrocardiographic Classification of Acute Coronary Syndromes

Title:Updated Electrocardiographic Classification of Acute Coronary Syndromes

Volume: 10 Issue: 3

Author(s): Kjell Nikus, Yochai Birnbaum, Markku Eskola, Samuel Sclarovsky, Zhan Zhong-qun and Olle Pahlm

Affiliation:

Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome, classification, ECG, myocardial infarction, ST-segment elevation, ST-segment depression.

Abstract: The electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in acute coronary syndrome should always be interpreted in the context of the clinical findings and symptoms of the patient, when these data are available. It is important to acknowledge the dynamic nature of ECG changes in acute coronary syndrome. The ECG pattern changes over time and may be different if recorded when the patient is symptomatic or after symptoms have resolved. Temporal changes are most striking in cases of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. With the emerging concept of acute reperfusion therapy, the concept STelevation/ non-ST elevation has replaced the traditional division into Q-wave/non-Q wave in the classification of acute coronary syndrome in the acute phase.

Keypoints: In acute coronary syndrome, in addition to the traditional electrocardiographic risk markers, such as ST depression, the 12-lead ECG contains additional, important diagnostic and prognostic information. Clinical guidelines need to acknowledge certain high-risk ECG patterns to improve patient care.

Cite this article as:

Nikus Kjell, Birnbaum Yochai, Eskola Markku, Sclarovsky Samuel, Zhong-qun Zhan and Pahlm Olle, Updated Electrocardiographic Classification of Acute Coronary Syndromes, Current Cardiology Reviews 2014; 10 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573403X10666140514102754