More than meets the eye: False code STEMI

J Electrocardiol. 2018 Jul-Aug;51(4):720-722. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2018.05.009. Epub 2018 May 19.

Abstract

In patients with suspected ST elevation myocardial infarction, it is of paramount importance to identify artifacts on the resting electrocardiogram that may be erroneously interpreted as ST segment deviations in order to prevent administration of potentially harmful pharmacotherapy and invasive coronary angiography. In this case report, we describe a pervasive square wave artifact, not previously reported, that was misdiagnosed as ST segment elevation by computer software and initial physician interpretation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Artifacts*
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / complications
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / complications
  • ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis*