ST-ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION Flashcards
What are the electrocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)?
ST-segment elevation greater than 0.1 mV in at least two contiguous leads, new or presumably new left bundle branch block (LBBB)
ACCF/AHA criteria specify ST elevation in leads V2–V3 to be ≥0.25 mV in men under 40, ≥0.2 mV in men over 40, or ≥0.15 mV in women.
What is the significance of leads V7–V9 in diagnosing STEMI?
Leads V7–V9 are used to assess ST elevation in cases of suspected left circumflex artery occlusion
These leads are positioned on the back below the scapula.
Is intracoronary thrombus common in STEMI?
Yes, seen in more than 90% of STEMI patients
This is due to plaque rupture and thrombus formation.
What does primary PCI refer to?
The strategy of taking a STEMI patient directly to the cardiac catheterization laboratory for mechanical revascularization
This bypasses thrombolytic therapy in the emergency room.
What is door-to-balloon time?
The time from when a STEMI patient arrives at the emergency room to when a balloon is inflated in the occluded coronary artery
The goal is 90 minutes or less for direct hospital presentations.
What is door-to-needle time?
The time from when a STEMI patient arrives at the emergency room to the start of thrombolytic therapy
The target is 30 minutes or less.
What are absolute contraindications to thrombolytic therapy?
• Any prior ICH
• Known structural cerebral vascular lesion
• Known malignant intracranial neoplasm
• Ischemic stroke within 3 months
• Suspected aortic dissection
• Active bleeding
• Significant closed-head or facial trauma within 3 months
• Intracranial or intraspinal surgery within 2 months
• Severe uncontrolled hypertension
• For streptokinase, prior treatment within 6 months
ICH refers to intracranial hemorrhage.
Which patients with STEMI should undergo immediate coronary angiography?
Patients who are candidates for primary PCI, those with severe heart failure or cardiogenic shock, and those with evidence of failed fibrinolysis
Hemodynamically stable patients with successful fibrinolysis may also be candidates.
What is rescue PCI?
The performance of PCI after a patient has failed thrombolytic therapy
It shows modest benefits in appropriately selected patients.
What is the goal for medical contact-to-device time in STEMI cases?
90 minutes or less for direct hospital presentations, 120 minutes if transferring from a non-PCI hospital
This reflects the time from medical contact to intervention.
Should complete revascularization be pursued in patients with STEMI and multivessel coronary artery disease?
Yes, complete revascularization is superior to culprit lesion-only PCI in reducing adverse events
However, this does not apply to those with cardiogenic shock.
What are the criteria for primary PCI in patients with STEMI?
STEMI symptoms within 12 hours, severe heart failure or cardiogenic shock, contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy
Asymptomatic patients presenting between 12 and 24 hours may also be considered.
What is a patent infarct artery?
An infarct artery that remains open 3–24 hours after fibrinolytic therapy
This indicates successful treatment but may still require monitoring for ischemia.
What is the recommended treatment strategy for patients with STEMI presenting to rural hospitals without PCI capability?
Primary PCI is preferred if transfer to a facility with PCI capabilities can be done within 120 minutes; otherwise, fibrinolytic therapy is advised
Urgent or elective transfer for angiography should occur within 24 hours.
What does DIDO stand for in the context of STEMI treatment?
Door-in door-out
It refers to the acceptable timeframe for diagnosing and transferring a STEMI patient from a non-PCI capable hospital.
What are the contraindications for initiating beta-blocker therapy in STEMI patients?
Signs of heart failure, low-output state, increased risk for cardiogenic shock, PR interval > 0.24 seconds, second- or third-degree heart block, active asthma, severe reactive airway disease
Risk factors for cardiogenic shock include age > 70 years, SBP < 120 mm Hg, sinus tachycardia > 110 beats/min, and heart rate < 60 beats/min.