Elsevier

Indian Heart Journal

Volume 65, Issue 4, July–August 2013, Pages 412-423
Indian Heart Journal

Review Article
ST segment elevations: Always a marker of acute myocardial infarction?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ihj.2013.06.013Get rights and content
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Abstract

Chest pain is one of the chief presenting complaints among patients attending Emergency department. The diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction may be a challenge. Various tools such as anamnesis, blood sample (with evaluation of markers of myocardial necrosis), ultrasound techniques and coronary computed tomography could be useful. However, the interpretation of electrocardiograms of these patients may be a real concern. The earliest manifestations of myocardial ischemia typically interest T waves and ST segment. Despite the high sensitivity, ST segment deviation has however poor specificity since it may be observed in many other cardiac and non-cardiac conditions. Therefore, when ST–T abnormalities are detected the physicians should take into account many other parameters (such as risk factors, symptoms and anamnesis) and all the other differential diagnoses. The aim of our review is to overview of the main conditions that may mimic a ST segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).

Keywords

Chest pain
ECG
ST segment
Myocardial infarction
Differential diagnosis

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