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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Cardiol. Oct 26, 2014; 6(10): 1067-1079
Published online Oct 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i10.1067
Published online Oct 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i10.1067
ST-segment elevation: Distinguishing ST elevation myocardial infarction from ST elevation secondary to nonischemic etiologies
Alok Deshpande, Yochai Birnbaum, The Section of Cardiology, The Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Author contributions: Both authors reviewed the literature and participated in writing the manuscript.
Supported by John S Dunn Chair in Cardiology Research and Education
Correspondence to: Yochai Birnbaum, MD, John S Dunn Chair in Cardiology Research and Education, The Section of Cardiology, The Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS: BCM 620, Houston, TX 77030, United States. ybirnbau@bcm.edu
Telephone: +1-713-7982735 Fax: +1-713-7980270
Received: December 29, 2013
Revised: May 20, 2014
Accepted: July 27, 2014
Published online: October 26, 2014
Revised: May 20, 2014
Accepted: July 27, 2014
Published online: October 26, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: At times, distinguishing between myocardial infarction with ST elevation (STEMI) from non-ischemic causes of elevation of the ST segment is difficult, especially in patients with atypical presenting symptoms. Understanding common patterns of ST elevation that are not caused by ischemia is crucial for rapid and accurate diagnosis. However, patients with baseline non-ischemic ST elevation (for example, early repolarization or repolarization changes caused by hypertrophy of the left ventricule) may develop acute myocardial infarction (true STEMI or non-ST elevation myocardial infarction with baseline ST elevation). Here we describe common patterns of non-ischemic ST elevation.