ECG Solution: Nitroglycerin, right?

 Haven't read the initial case presentation? Read: ECG Challenge: Nitroglycerin, right?

This is the conclusion to the current ECG Challenge. You may want to go back and review the initial history and clinical presentation.

Let's take another look at the 12-lead ECG.

This time with the computerized interpretation.

This ECG shows third degree AV block (complete heart block) with a junctional escape rhythm (narrow complex escape rhythm) at 34 beats per minute.

The ECG is suspicious for acute inferior-posterior and right ventricular infarction.

How do we know this?

In the first place, ST-elevation is present in leads II, III, and aVF (the inferior leads). ST-depression is present in leads I and aVL (the high lateral leads). That's strong supportive evidence that the ST-elevation in the inferior leads represents acute STEMI.

The ST-depression in the right precordial leads (V1, V2, and V3) suggests posterior extension of this acute inferior infaction.

Tip: If you want to become really good at identifying acute isolated posterior STEMI pay close attention to the right precordial leads whenever you see an acute inferior STEMI! If this ST-depression was the only abnormality on this 12-lead ECG I would still call it STEMI.

Why do we suspect right ventricular infarction?

First of all, in my opinion, you should suspect right ventricular infarction anytime you have acute inferior STEMI, especially when the patient is bradycardic and the blood pressure is low or on the low side of normal.

Second, the ST-elevation in lead III is greater than ST-elevation in lead II. This finding also points to right ventricular infarction.

Why is that important?

The right ventricle can become "stunned" during acute right ventricular infarction. When that happens, the right ventricle essentially becomes a conduit through which blood flows. With the loss of effective right ventricular contraction, the patient becomes dependent on central venous pressure to maintain cardiac output.

This is sometimes referred to as being "preload dependent".

It's a bad idea to give nitroglycerin to someone who's preload dependent because bottoming out central venous pressure can precipitate circulatory collapse.

That's why the simple criterion of a "systolic blood pressure of at least 90 mm Hg" is inadequate when considering nitroglycerin for a patient suffering a suspected acute coronary syndrome.

Some have argued that since patients are prescribed nitroglycerin for their chronic stable angina (and they're obviously not obtaining a 12-lead with modified chest lead V4R prior to self-medicating) that it's unnecessary for EMS to worry about such things.

Keep in mind that patients with chronic stable angina don't generally call 9-1-1. Besides, we're supposed to be experts in emergency care. We ought to know when to give medicine and when to withhold it! I would at least pause before giving nitroglycerin to any patient with a heart rate less than 40!

Speaking of the heart rhythm, third degree AV block is a common complication of acute STEMI. With acute inferior STEMI the escape rhythm tends to have narrow complexes (junctional escape rhythm) and may respond to atropine. With acute anterior STEMI the escape rhythm tends to have wide complexes (ventricular escape rhythm) and generally will not respond to atropine.

With acute inferior STEMI, complete heart block, and narrow complex escape rhythm, the heart block is often self-limiting and does not require permanent pacing. On the other hand, with acute anterior STEMI, complete heart block and wide complex escape rhythm, permanent pacing is often required and the prognosis is much worse.

So what happened to this patient?

Unfortunately, the treating paramedic did not recognize this as a probable right ventricular infarction and the patient received nitroglycerin.

As you can see it bottomed out the patient's blood pressure to 61/25! That's dangerously low and could have precipitated cardiac arrest. Fortunately, the patient's pressure came back with a fluid bolus.

The entire episode lasted less than 10 minutes (nitroglycerine has a short half life) but that's not the point. The point is that nitroglycerine is contraindicated for patients who are susceptible to the hypotensive syndrome associated with right ventricular infarction.

This may seem like old news to many of you but the subject is still worth discussing. Some have said that nitroglycerin is contraindicated for all patients with right ventricular infarction!

My view is that we need to consider the entire clinical picture. A patient in complete heart block with a heart rate of 34 and a blood pressure of 108/50 is a lot different from a patient is sinus rhythm at rate of 88 and a blood pressure of 168/90.

There is no substitute for sound clinical judgment.