Journal of electrocardiology
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There is a discordance between ECG and imaging modalities in the diagnosis of ventricular aneurysm (VA) consequent to an old myocardial infarction. A hypothesis is being proposed that this discordance, which results in electrocardiograms (ECGs) not showing ST-segment elevations (+ST) in patients with proven by imaging modalities to have VA (false negative, low diagnostic sensitivity), may be due to "ST-segment counterpoise," rendering the ECG isoelectric. ⋯ Also, a misalignment of the apex longitudinal axis with the left ventricular inflow axis due to myocardial remodeling from the VA (boot-shaped heart) when the apex and another myocardial region are involved with VA leads to +ST cancellation and a false-negative ECG for VA. ST-segment counterpoise as a mechanism rendering the ECG falsely negative for VA can be tested in the future if studies of patients with VA adopt in their methodologies a systematic reporting of severity and topography [corrected] of the regional left ventricular contraction abnormalities, as recommended by the American Society of Echocardiography.
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We describe a patient who presented with abdominal pain radiating to the chest and ST elevation in the precordial leads, mimicking acute myocardial infarction. Urgent coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries and his serum troponin has not increased. ⋯ ST segment elevation resolved after correction of hypercalcemia. This phenomenon of ST elevation secondary to hypercalcemia has been described only two times in the English literature to date.
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Overreading of 12 lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) is required to circumvent errors of computerized ECG interpretation. The accuracy of the overreading physician's interpretation of ECGs that were incorrectly read as atrial fibrillation by a computer algorithm has not been systematically examined. ⋯ Knowledge of an individual patient on whom an ECG is ordered may result in a more critical rhythm assessment and might account for the higher accuracy of rhythm interpretation by the cardiologist as compared with the interpretation by the overreading cardiologist who is lacking relevant clinical information.