title: ST-segment elevation: Differential diagnosis, caveats.
abstract: The differential diagnosis of ST-segment elevation includes four major processes: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); early repolarization; pericarditis; and ST elevation secondary to an abnormality of the QRS complex (left bundle branch block, left ventricular hypertrophy, or preexcitation). Other processes that may be associated with ST elevation include hyperkalemia, pulmonary embolism, and Brugada syndrome. The clinical setting and specific electrocardiographic criteria often allow identification of the cause. This article reviews ST-T and QRS configurations specific to each diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Section, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA. E-mail: ehanna@lsuhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Elias B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.affiliation: Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Section, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: David Luke
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Glancy
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results