In football, one goal can be enough to win the match and come out on top – the same can be true in emergencies! Frequently, you will only need one or two views to know the problem. Can you make the diagnosis in the following case?  

You are called to a 55-year-old male with acute chest pain. Are you able to make the diagnosis even without an ECG?

A) Aortic dissection

B) Acute inferior myocardial infarction

C) Pulmonary embolism

D) Acute anterior infarction

Answer

B) Acute inferior myocardial infarction

This echocardiogram shows wall motion abnormalities in the basal and mid-inferior segments. Note that left ventricular function is moderately reduced. This is a clear case of an inferior myocardial infarction. And here is the ECG which confirms the diagnosis:

It is not difficult to pick up wall motion abnormalities in transmural infarcts. However, it might be more difficult in NSTEMI patients with more subtle abnormalities. Aside from establishing the diagnosis, echocardiography also allows you to risk-stratify the patient and detect complications of myocardial infarction.

Do you want to learn how to diagnose such cases?

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