Numerous studies,1 13 including two from our laboratory,1 , 2 have shown that a horizontal or downsloping ST-segment depression ≥1 mm in response to exercise is a powerful harbinger for future coronary events (CE), ie, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction (MI), or sudden cardiac death, in an apparently healthy …

What does ST depression on an ECG mean?

ST depression in ECG at entry indicates severe coronary lesions and large benefits of an early invasive treatment strategy in unstable coronary artery disease; the FRISC II ECG substudy. The Fast Revascularisation during InStability in Coronary artery disease.

Is ST depression serious?

ST depression in ECG at entry indicates severe coronary lesions and large benefits of an early invasive treatment strategy in unstable coronary artery disease.

What does horizontal ST segment depression mean?

Studies have shown that horizontal or downsloping ST-segment depression of 1 mm or greater on electrocardiogram (ECG) in response to a treadmill exercise test is a predictor of future coronary events in healthy asymptomatic patients.

How many mm of ST depression is significant?

ST segment depression may be determined by measuring the vertical distance between the patient’s trace and the isoelectric line at a location 2-3 millimeters from the QRS complex. It is significant if it is more than 1 mm in V5-V6, or 1.5 mm in AVF or III.

What is normal ST depression?

ST segment elevation or depression up to 0.1 mV generally is considered within normal limits.

Can stress cause ST depression?

An ischemic zone of 50% transmural extent covering the entire left ventricular subendocardium caused an ST-depression pattern similar to that observed during stress test. Conclusion: In contrast to regional subendocardial ischemia, global subendocardial ischemia can explain ST depression in our model.

Why does ST depression occur?

ST segment depression occurs because when the ventricle is at rest and therefore repolarized, the depolarized ischemic subendocardium generates electrical currents that are recorded by an overlying electrode.

Which is worse ST depression or elevation?

Conclusion: In patients with a first acute anterior MI treated with primary PCI, ST elevation in inferior leads had significantly worse short-term and long-term outcomes compared to no ST change or ST segment depression.

What is ST depression induced by exercise?

The exercise-induced ST segment depression was defined as a horizontal or downsloping at least 1.0 mm ST depression at 80 ms after J point or any ST depression of >1.0 mm at 80 ms after J point in ECG.

Can ST segment depression be normal?

ST segment depression of 1 mm or more, lasting 0.08 second or more, is generally considered a positive (abnormal) response. False-negative (normal) results can occur, however, in patients with ischemic heart disease and false-positive results can occur in normal people.

What does ST depression look like on ECG?

The ECG is characterized by deep and persistent, concave-upward ST-segment depression in multiple limb and chest leads. ECG changes are stable over time and accentuated during exercise.

What does an abnormal ST segment indicate?

The ST Segment represents the interval between ventricular depolarization and repolarization. The most important cause of ST segment abnormality (elevation or depression) is myocardial ischaemia or infarction.

Is ST depression normal during exercise?

The J point (the point of inflection at the junction of the S wave and ST segment) becomes depressed during exercise, with maximum depression at peak exercise. The normal ST segment during exercise therefore slopes sharply upwards.

What is St T abnormality?

Abstract. An ST-T abnormality on an electrocardiogram (ECG) is known to independently predict subsequent morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. But how ST-T abnormality develops in relation to chronologic changes in cardiovascular risk factors has not been fully discussed.

What is a normal ST interval?

ST segment: 80-120 milliseconds. T wave: 160 milliseconds. QT interval: 420 milliseconds or less if heart rate is 60 beats per minute (bpm)

How serious is ischemia?

Myocardial ischemia can lead to serious complications, including: Heart attack. If a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, the lack of blood and oxygen can lead to a heart attack that destroys part of the heart muscle. The damage can be serious and sometimes fatal.

What is J point depression?

Elevation or depression of the J point is seen with the various causes of ST segment abnormality. It may be elevated as a result of injury currents during acute myocardial ischemia and pericarditis, as well as in various other patterns of both normal and abnormal ECGs.

Is ST depression normal during stress test?

Interpretation of the treadmill ECG stress test A treadmill ECG stress test is considered abnormal when there is a horizontal or down-sloping ST-segment depression ≥ 1 mm at 60–80 ms after the J point. (9) Exercise ECGs with up-sloping ST-segment depressions are typically reported as an ‘equivocal’ test.

What meds cause ST depression?

Medications including digoxin and multiple other anti-arrhythmic drugs that affect myocyte repolarization also can cause ST segment depression.

How is ST segment depression measured?

ST segment deviation (elevation, depression) is measured as the height difference (in millimeters) between the J point and the baseline (the PR segment). ST segment deviation occurs in a wide range of conditions, particularly acute myocardial ischemia.

Does ST elevation always mean mi?

Thus, ST elevation may be present on all or some leads of ECG. It can be associated with: Myocardial infarction (see also ECG in myocardial infarction). ST elevation in select leads is more common with myocardial infarction.

What is a TP wave?

The TP segment is the portion of the ECG from the end of the T wave to the beginning of the P wave. This segment should always be at baseline and is used as a reference to determine whether the ST segment is elevated or depressed, as there are no specific disease conditions that elevate or depress the TP segment.

Why does ST elevation occur in MI?

An acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction occurs due to occlusion of one or more coronary arteries, causing transmural myocardial ischemia which in turn results in myocardial injury or necrosis.

Is Upsloping ST depression normal?

Conclusion: Upsloping ST depression in resting electrocardiogram may indicate cardiac ischemia in the presence of active cardiac symptoms. In the absence of ongoing symptoms however, it may be secondary to conditions other than ischemia. ST depression after resolution of an episode of supraventricular tachycardia.