Updated electrocardiographic classification of acute coronary syndromes.
The electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in acute coronary syndrome should always be interpreted in the context of the clinical findings and symptoms of the patient, when these data are available. It is important to acknowledge the dynamic nature of ECG changes in acute coronary syndrome. The ECG pattern changes over time and may be different if recorded when the patient is symptomatic or after symptoms have resolved. Temporal changes are most striking in cases of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. With the emerging concept of acute reperfusion therapy, the concept ST-elevation/ non-ST elevation has replaced the traditional division into Q-wave/non-Q wave in the classification of acute coronary syndrome in the acute phase.


CONCLUSIONS
In acute coronary syndrome, in addition to the traditional electrocardiographic risk markers, such as ST depression, the 12-lead ECG contains additional, important diagnostic and prognostic information. Clinical guidelines need to acknowledge certain high-risk ECG patterns to improve patient care.
Kjell
K
Nikus
Yochai
Y
Birnbaum
Markku
M
Eskola
Samuel
S
Sclarovsky
Zhan
Z
Zhong-Qun
Heart Center, Tampere University Hospital. Biokatu 6, 33520 Tampere, Finland. kjell.nikus@kolumbus.fi.
Olle
O
Pahlm
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D000367:Age Factors; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000145:classification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012737:Sex Factors