UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Cardiology

Title: How to measure ST elevation

Keywords: ST-elevation, Cardiology, MI (PubMed Search)

Posted: 12/29/2013 by Ali Farzad, MD (Updated: 3/10/2014)
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There is debate and confusion regarding where and how to measure ST elevation (STE). Do you measure the STE at the J-point? Or at 40 msec after the J-point? And how much STE is considered significant? The current guidelines have clarified this issue.

 - STE should be measured at the J-point.

STEMI is defined by STE ≥ 1 mm in at least 2 contiguous leads, with the exception of leads V2-V3.

STEMI is defined by STE ≥ 2 mm in leads V2-V3 in men.

STEMI is defined by STE ≥ 1.5 mm in leads V2-V3 in women.

For more cardiology pearls from the 2013 literature , check out Amal Mattu's Articles You've Gotta Know!

 

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References

2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

O'Gara PT, Kushner FG, Ascheim DD, et al; American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines Circulation. 2013;127:e362-e425 Pubmed Link