Reference no: EM133751296

Question

Case Presentation The patient was a man, 68 years old age smoker 20 cigarettes daily, with a history of hypertension and diabetic Mellitus, was admitted to the emergency department (ED) complaining of chest pain. He states that the pain began before 20 minutes earlier and consisted of acute pain lasting about one minute, followed by a dull pain that lasted around one minute. The pain was located over his left chest area, somewhat near his shoulder. The pain started when the patient was walking in his home. He did not sit and rest during the pain but continued to do housework. Following his presentation to the emergency department, he noticed pain as he got out of bed. Once again, it was a dull pain, preceded by a short interval of sharp pain. An immediate electrocardiograph (ECG) (Figure 1), together with a brief, targeted history and physical examination, confirmed a diagnosis of an inferior myocardial infarction (MI). An additional, performed rightsided ECG that excluded concurrent right ventricular involvement. The ECG is highly specific for MI (95% to 97%) yet not sensitive (approximately 30%). Right-sided, posterior lead placement, and repeat ECG testing can increase electrocardiograph sensitivity. At the emergency department, the patient.