What EKG trace indicates a patient is experiencing a STEMI?

The presence of ST elevation in contiguous leads on an EKG trace is a classic indicator of a ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). This elevation signifies that there is significant myocardial ischemia due to a complete blockage of a coronary artery, leading to damage in the heart muscle. The elevation typically appears in at least two adjacent leads (contiguous leads) as it reflects the area of the heart that is affected by the blocked artery.

In a STEMI, the ST segment rises above the baseline, indicating that there is acute injury to the myocardial tissue. This finding is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention, as it underscores the need for urgent medical treatment to restore blood flow to the affected area and minimize heart damage. The focus on contiguous leads is important as it provides a clearer picture of the cardiac event associated with specific regions of the heart affected by the infarction.

Recognizing this pattern is vital for clinicians, as it directly influences the urgency and direction of the therapeutic approach, such as the need for reperfusion therapies like angioplasty or thrombolysis. Thus, the identification of ST elevation in contiguous leads forms a critical part of the assessment of patients suspected of having a STEMI.