Open AccessA New Electrocardiographic Algorithm to Locate the Occlusion in Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery
Author(s) -
Fiol Miguel,
Carrillo Andrés,
Cygankiewicz Iwona,
Velasco Julio,
Riera Maria,
BayésGenis Antoni,
Gómez Alfredo,
Peral Vicente,
Bethencourt Armando,
Goldwasser diego,
Molina Fredis,
Bayés de Luna Antoni
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.20347
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , ejection fraction , myocardial infarction , occlusion , st segment , electrocardiography , angina , right coronary artery , st depression , ventricular fibrillation , artery , algorithm , heart failure , coronary angiography , computer science
Background Early prediction of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion is essential from a clinical point of view Hypothesis To develop an electrocardiogram (ECG) algorithm based on ST‐segment deviations to predict the location of occlusion of LAD as a culprit artery. Methods ECG and angiographic findings were correlated in 100 patients with an ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) in precordial leads V 1 , V 2 , and V 4 through V 6 . Results ST‐depression ≥ 2.5 mm in leads III + ventricular fibrillation (VF) presents sensitivity (SE) of 77% and specificity (SP) of 84% for LAD occlusion proximal to the first diagonal artery (D1). ST‐segment in III + VF isoelectric or elevated, presents SE of 44% and SP of 100% for LAD occlusion distal to D1. Subsequent analysis of the equation ∑ of ST‐deviation in VR + V 1 − V 6 < 0, allows us to predict occlusion distal to first septal artery (S1) with 100% SP. On the other hand, any ST‐depression in III + VF > 0.5 mm + ∑ of ST‐deviation in VR + V 1 − V 6 ≥ 0 identifies a high‐risk group (lower ejection fraction, worse Killip findings, higher peak of CPK and CK‐MB, and major adverse cardiac events [MACE]: death, reinfarction, recurrent angina, persistent left ventricular failure, or sustained ventricular arrhythmia during hospitalization). Conclusions This sequential ECG algorithm based on ST‐segment deviations in different leads allowed us to predict the location of occlusion in LAD with good accuracy. Cases with proximal LAD occlusion present the most markers of poor prognosis. We recommend the use of the algorithm in everyday clinical practice. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.