ST segment
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Relation between ST elevation and myocardial
infarction
Acute myocardial infarction is a necrosis process of part of the cardiac muscle due
to the interruption of blood flow in the coronary arteries. Early diagnosis is a key
factor in reducing mortality and possible sequelae for the patient.
One of the most precise forms for this diagnosis is the identification of anomalies on
ST elevation, which can be identified in the electrocardiogram (ECG) evaluation.
When a ST elevation bigger than 2 mm is detected, the patient may be suffering the
acute phase of a myocardial infarction.
When a ST depression of more than 2 mm is detected, the patient may be suffering
from myocardial ischemia (malnutrition of a certain part of the myocardium).
Ranges up to ± 2 mm are frequent and normal in healthy patients.
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