ST elevation

Last reviewed 11/2022

ST elevation occurs as follows:

  • an upwardly convex and elevated ST segment indicates acute myocardial infarction or variant (Prinzmetal's) angina
  • the affected leads indicate the area of affected myocardium
  • anterior damage shows in the V leads, and inferior in III and VF

In pericarditis the ST segment is elevated, but it is upwardly concave and widespread.

Other causes of ST elevation include (1):

  • cardiac trauma
  • ventricular aneurysm or large chronic myocardial infarct (at rest, exercise induced or aggravated)
  • cardiomyopathies including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • left bundle branch block

Click here for example ECG and further information

Reference:

  1. Hoffman I, Saltzman B. Is ATP-sensitive K+ channel (K+ATP) recruitment a common mechanism for ECG-ST segment depression and elevation? Med Hypotheses. 2003 Apr;60(4):593-7.