Wellens' syndrome: Difference between revisions

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Two T-wave Characteristics:
Two T-wave Characteristics:


*A: Biphasic pattern - 75% - Deeply inverted and symmetric T-waves
*A: Inversion pattern - 75% - Deeply inverted and symmetric T-waves
*B: Inversion pattern - 25% - Biphasic T-waves (initial + deflection and terminal - deflection)
*B: Biphasic pattern - 25% - Biphasic T-waves (initial + deflection and terminal - deflection)


[[Image:Wellens.jpg]]  
[[Image:Wellens.jpg]]  

Revision as of 22:38, 12 January 2014

Background

  • T wave abnormality that is associated with critical LAD stenosis
    • Finding can be transient (persists for hours after pain has resolved and then disappears)
    • Preinfarction stage of CAD, and heralds extensive anterior wall MI

Criteria

  1. Biphasic T waves in leads V2-V3 OR symmetric, often deeply inverted T waves in V2-V3
  2. Prior history of chest pain (CP resolved)
  3. Little or no cardiac enzyme elevation
  4. No pathologic precordial Q waves
  5. Little or no ST-segment elevation
  6. No loss of precordial R waves

Two T-wave Characteristics:

  • A: Inversion pattern - 75% - Deeply inverted and symmetric T-waves
  • B: Biphasic pattern - 25% - Biphasic T-waves (initial + deflection and terminal - deflection)

Wellens.jpg

Note Wellens criteria should not be diagnosed in a patetient with LVH. 

Mimics

  • High voltage
  • PE
  • RBBB
  • Hypokalemia
  • CNS Injury
  • Persistent Juvenile T-wave pattern
  • Digitalis effect

Treatment

  1. Urgent cardiac catheterization

Stress testing contraindicated, may prove fatal

Source

Wellens’ Syndrome. Annals of Emergency Medicine, March, 1999