The Spiked Helmet Sign Predicting a Poor Outcome in a Patient with Non-Myocardial Infarction ST-Segment Elevation

Abstract

Spiked helmet sign is a novel electrocardiogram marker that reflects a poor prognosis, and may mimic myocardial infarction, especially in patients with an acute alteration of mental status or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. In cases where a spiked helmet sign is missed, there may be a delay in surgical intervention for the underlying conditions because of unnecessary cardiac catheterization. In addition, antiplatelet agents for acute coronary syndrome in such cases can lead to catastrophic complications. Therefore, early recognition of spiked helmet sign is useful for timely correction of the underlying disease and prevention of poor outcomes. Herein, we describe a rare case of a patient with internal bleeding and subarachnoid hemorrhage presenting with spiked helmet sign on an electrocardiogram.

Keywords

• spiked helmet sign
• ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
• subarachnoid hemorrhage
• intraabdominal bleeding