What causes Wellens syndrome?
Wellens syndrome results from a temporary obstruction of the LAD coronary artery. Usually, this is caused by the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque leading to LAD occlusion, with subsequent clot lysis or other disruption of the occlusion before complete myocardial infarction has taken place.
Is Wellens syndrome rare?
Wellens’ syndrome is a rare entity that can also present with T-wave inversions.
What are biphasic waves?
The biphasic T waves are known for dynamic change in polarity . It may either pull down the or pull up the adjacent ST segment . Prolonged QT interval is a closely related to the biphasic T wave. Some times a U wave can be inscribed in such a way it may mimic a biphasic T wave.
How is Wellens syndrome treated?
Patients with Wellens syndrome are to be treated as unstable angina. This includes aspirin, nitroglycerin, and pain control, if needed. Patients should be admitted to the hospital where serial cardiac markers and electrocardiograms should be followed.
How is Wellens syndrome diagnosed?
The criteria used to diagnose Wellen’s syndrome include symmetric and deeply inverted T waves or biphasic T waves in leads V2 and V3 in a pain-free state, plus isoelectric or minimally elevated (<1 mm) ST segment.
What is the difference between monophasic and biphasic?
A monophasic waveform delivers electrical shocks in a single direction from one electrode to another. With a biphasic shock, the current travels in two phases. In the first phase, the current runs from the first electrode to the second electrode via the patient’s heart.
How common is Wellens syndrome?
Wellens and colleagues in 1982 in a subgroup of people with unstable angina, it does not seem to be rare, appearing in 18% of patients in his original study. A subsequent prospective study identified this syndrome in 14% of patients at presentation and 60% of patients within the first 24 hours.
How do I know if my defibrillator is monophasic or biphasic?
The direct current shock given can have a monophasic or biphasic waveform. In monophasic shock, the shock is given in only one direction from one electrode to the other. In a biphasic shock, initial direction of shock is reversed by changing the polarity of the electrodes in the latter part of the shock.
Is Lifepak 20 biphasic?
Designed specifically for crash carts and patient transport, the LIFEPAK 20e defibrillator/monitor offers 360J escalating biphasic energy for both manual and automated defibrillation.
How do you treat Wellens syndrome?
What is the most common type of defibrillator?
The most common type of defibrillator is the AED, which is an Automated External Defibrillator. This type of defibrillator is a modern, portable defibrillator that is found in many public buildings and workplaces. The AED comes in two forms, semi-automatic and automatic.
What is Wellens syndrome?
Wellens Syndrome is a clinical syndrome characterised by biphasic or deeply inverted T waves in V2-3, plus a history of recent chest pain now resolved. It is highly specific for critical stenosis of the left anterior descending artery (LAD)
What are the patterns of T waves in Wellens syndrome?
Two patterns of T waves can be seen in Wellens syndrome. Type-A T waves are biphasic, with initial positivity and terminal negativity. These T wave findings are present in approximately 25% of cases. Type-B T waves are deeply and symmetrically inverted.
What is the role of stress testing in Wellens syndrome?
Because Wellens syndrome patients have critical narrowing of the LAD coronary artery, a stress test should be avoided as this can precipitate an acute myocardial infarction and sudden death. Upon coronary angiography, the cardiologist can plan for revascularization of the LAD coronary artery.
What is Wellens syndrome of v2-3?
Wellens syndrome is a pattern of deeply inverted or biphasic T waves in V2-3, which is highly specific for a critical stenosis of the left anterior descending artery (LAD).