A potential diagnostic pitfall in ST elevation: Acute pulmonary embolism or ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract

Abstract The diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a great challenge for physicians due to its nonspecific symptoms, and often missed or misdiagnosed as acute coronary syndrome. Electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities are seen in majority of patients with APE. Recently, APE with ST‐segment elevation (STE) in leads V1–V3/V4, mimicking ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), has been described. However, coronary angiography showed that the patient's coronary arteries were mostly normal. Herein, we describe a case of APE presenting with STE in V1–V4, along with severe stenosis of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery.

Keywords

• electrocardiogram
• myocardial infarction
• pulmonary embolism
• ST‐segment elevation