Prevalence of acute cardiac disorders in patients with suspected ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non-significant coronary artery disease

• Published in: Journal of electrocardiology Vol. 47; no. 4; pp. 459 - 464
• Main Authors: Andersson, H., MD, Christensen, T.E., MD, Ahtarovski, K.A., MD, PhD, Bang, L.E., MD, PhD, Hasbak, P., MD, Vejlstrup, N., MD, PhD, Pedersen, F., MD, PhD, Holmvang, L., MD, DMSc, Grande, P., MD, DMSc, Clemmensen, P., MD, DMSc, Wagner, G.S., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-07-2014
• Subjects: Acute cardiac disorders; Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers - blood; Cardiovascular; Causality; Comorbidity; Coronary Artery Disease - blood; Coronary Artery Disease - diagnosis; Coronary Artery Disease - mortality; Denmark - epidemiology; Electrocardiography - statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction - blood; Myocardial Infarction - diagnosis; Myocardial Infarction - mortality; Non-significant coronary artery disease; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution; ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; Survival Rate; Troponin T - blood; Young Adult; Denmark; Non-significant coronary artery disease; Acute cardiac disorders; ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
• ISSN: 0022-0736; 1532-8430
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2014.04.008

Abstract Background and purpose We aimed to study the prevalence of acute cardiac disorders in patients with suspected ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-significant coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods From January to October 2012 we consecutively included patients admitted with suspected STEMI and non-significant CAD (coronary artery stenosis diameter < 50%). Patients were diagnosed with acute cardiac disorder in the presence of elevated cardiac biomarkers (troponin T > 50 ng/l or creatine kinase MB > 4 μg/l) or dynamic ECG changes (ST-segment changes or T-wave inversion). Results Of the 871 patients admitted with suspected STEMI, 11% ( n = 95) had non-significant CAD. Of these, 67% ( n = 64) had elevated cardiac biomarkers or dynamic ECG changes and were accordingly diagnosed with acute cardiac disorders. In the remaining 33% ( n = 31) of patients, cardiac biomarkers were normal and ECG changes remained stationary. Conclusions Acute cardiac disorders were diagnosed in two thirds of patients with suspected STEMI and non-significant CAD.