The role of the ECG in the diagnosis and management of acute coronary syndrome

Czech version

Authors: P. Schweitzer; R. Kučinský
Authors‘ workplace: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine Beth Israel Medical Center, and Mount Sinai Service at Queens Hospital Center, New York, N. Y. USA
Published in: Vnitř Lék 2005; 51(6): 714-717
Category: Reviews

Overview

The classification of acute myocardial ischemic heart disease underwent important evolution. Presently the initial working diagnosis is acute coronary syndrome (ACS), sub classified into ST segment elevation (STE) and non-ST segment elevation (NSTE). Some authors continue to use Q (QMI) and Non Q wave myocardial infarction (NQMI), others consider the differences between them meaningless. Similarly there is no general agreement whether Q and NQMI should be replaced with ST segment elevation (STEMI) and Non-ST elevation segment (NSTEMI) myocardial infarction only as the initial working diagnosis or as the final one. The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of the ECG in the, diagnosis, management and outcome of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the differences between Q and NQMI and the need to sub classify NSTE ACS.

Key words:
electrocardiography – acute coronary syndrome

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