Wellens' syndrome: Difference between revisions
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*Progressive symmetrical deep [[T wave inversion]] in leads V<sub>2</sub> and V<sub>3</sub> | *Progressive symmetrical deep [[T wave inversion]] in leads V<sub>2</sub> and V<sub>3</sub> | ||
*The slope of the [[inverted T waves]] is generally at 60°-90° | *The slope of the [[inverted T waves]] is generally at 60°-90° | ||
* | *There is little or no [[cardiac marker]] elevation | ||
* | *There is discrete or there is no [[ST segment elevation]] | ||
* | *There is no loss of [[precordial]] [[QRS complex|R waves]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 17:09, 23 September 2012
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: Wellen's syndrome; Wellen's Ts; Wellen's T waves; Wellen's sign; Wellens' Ts; Wellens' T waves; Wellens' sign; Wellen syndrome; Wellen Ts; Wellen T waves; Wellen sign
Overview
Wellens' syndrome (or sign, or occasionally warning) is an electrocardiographic manifestation of critical proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery stenosis in patients with unstable angina. It is characterized by symmetrical, often deep >2mm, T wave inversions in the anterior precordial leads. A less common variant is biphasic T wave inversions in the same leads.[1]
Historical Perspective
First described by Hein J. J. Wellens and colleagues in 1982 in a subgroup of patients with unstable angina,[2] it does not seem to be rare, appearing in 18% of patients in his original study. A subsequent prospective study identified this syndrome in 14% of patients at presentation and 60% of patients within the first 24 hours.[3]
The presence of Wellens' syndrome carries significant diagnostic and prognostic value. All patients in the De Zwann's study with characteristic findings had more than 50% stenosis of the left anterior descending artery (mean=85% stenosis) with complete or near-complete occlusion in 59%. In the original Wellens' study group 75% of those with the typical syndrome manifestations had an anterior myocardial infarction. Sensitivity and specificity for significant (more or equal to 70%) stenosis of the LAD artery was found to be 69% and 89% respectively with positive predictive value 86%.[4]
Causes
Wellens' sign has also been seen as a rare presentation of Takotsubo or stress cardiomyopathy.
Diagnosis
Electrocardiographic Criteria
- Progressive symmetrical deep T wave inversion in leads V2 and V3
- The slope of the inverted T waves is generally at 60°-90°
- There is little or no cardiac marker elevation
- There is discrete or there is no ST segment elevation
- There is no loss of precordial R waves
References
- ↑ Tandy, TK (1999). "Wellens' syndrome". Annals of Emergency Medicine. 33 (3): 347–351. doi:10.1016/S0196-0644(99)70373-2. PMID 10036351. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (help) - ↑ de Zwaan, C (1982). "Characteristic electrocardiographic pattern indicating a critical stenosis high in left anterior descending coronary artery in patients admitted because of impending myocardial infarction". American Heart Journal. 103 (4): 730–736. doi:10.1016/0002-8703(82)90480-X. PMID 6121481. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (help) - ↑ de Zwaan, C (1989). "Angiographic and clinical characteristics of patients with unstable angina showing an ECG pattern indicating critical narrowing of the proximal LAD coronary artery". American Heart Journal. 117 (3): 657–665. doi:10.1016/0002-8703(89)90742-4. PMID 2784024. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (help) - ↑ Haines, DE (1983). "Anatomic and prognostic significance of new T-wave inversion in unstable angina". American Journal of Cardiology. 52 (1): 14–18. doi:10.1016/0002-9149(83)90061-9. PMID 6602539. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (help)