The importance of prehospital recognition of ST segment elevation in the aVR lead in acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Introduction/Objective The acute coronary syndrome is a medical condition that Emergency Medical Service physicians deal with daily. An especially prompt reaction is required when an ST elevation in the aVR lead is discovered, as it signifies a critical coronary lesion. The objective of the article is to present how educated the Emergency Medical Service doctors included in the STEMI network are in recognizing and treating the aVR lead elevation, as an atypical ECG finding. Case report Three patients with chest pain lasting from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours are presented. The ECG recording shows significant ST segment depressions >1mm in 6 or more leads (I, II, III, aVL, aVF, V2-V6) coupled with a 3-4mm ST elevation in the aVR lead and similar or slightly less pronounced ST elevation in V1. The strategy for primary PCI had been initialized for all three patients, who were then, after consultation with interventional cardiologists in UHMC Bezanijska kosa, Clinical Hospital Centre Zvezdara and the Military Medical Academy and having taken the initial dose of dual antiplatelet therapy (except for the third patient), transported to the hospital catheterization labs in these three institutions. Conclusion ST segment depression of 1 mm or more in six or more leads (inferolateral depression) coupled with ST segment elevation in aVR and/or V1 points to the threevessel disease (3VD) or left main coronary artery (LMCA) obstruction. The Emergency Medical Service doctors react adequately and promptly and, pending consultation with interventional cardiologists, the patients arrive directly into the catheterization lab. The final decision about reperfusion therapy is made by cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. Early invasive approach and adequate therapy (PCI/CABG) lower the risk of cardiogenic shock development and death.