Does ST Elevation in lead aVR indicate acute coronary occlusion?

ConclusionsSTE-aVR with multilead ST depression was associated with acutely thrombotic coronary occlusion in only 10% of patients. Routine STEMI activation in STE-aVR for emergent revascularization is not warranted, although urgent, rather than emergent, catheterization appears to be important.Previously, Knotts et al. had published different, but also convincing, data:Knotts et al. found that such ECG findings (STE in aVR) only represented left main ACS in 14% of such ECGs: Only 23% of patients with the aVR STE pattern had any LM disease (fewer if defined as  ≥ 50% stenosis). Only 28% of patients had ACS of any vessel, and, of those patients, the LM was the culprit in just 49% (14% of all cases).  It was a baseline finding in 62% of patients, usually due to LVH.Reference: Knotts RJ, Wilson JM, Kim E, Huang HD, Birnbaum Y. Diffuse ST depression with ST elevation in aVR: Is this pattern specific for global ischemia due to left main coronary artery disease? J Electrocardiol 2013;46:240-8.===================================MY Comment by KEN GRAUER, MD (3/9/2020):===================================Important paper highlighted in this post by Dr. Smith (above) — in support of the concept that diffuse ST depression with ST elevation in lead aVR is not a sign of acute coronary occlusion. Instead it suggests diffuse Subendocardial Ischemia  — which as per ...
Source: Dr. Smith's ECG Blog - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: blogs