Question:
A 58-year-old man presents with sudden severe retrosternal chest pain radiating to the jaw, associated with sweating and nausea. ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads V1–V4. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Options:
A. Inferior wall myocardial infarction
B. Lateral wall myocardial infarction
C. Anterior wall myocardial infarction
D. Pericarditis
✅ Answer: C. Anterior wall myocardial infarction
Explanation:
Clinical features: Severe retrosternal chest pain radiating to jaw or left arm, sweating, nausea, and vomiting are classic ACS symptoms.
ECG interpretation:
ST-segment elevation in V1–V4 indicates anterior wall MI, usually due to occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery.
ST elevation in II, III, aVF → inferior MI (RCA occlusion).
ST elevation in I, aVL, V5–V6 → lateral MI (LCx or diagonal LAD branch).
Management:
Immediate reperfusion therapy: primary PCI (preferred) or thrombolysis if PCI not available.
Antiplatelet therapy (aspirin + P2Y12 inhibitor), anticoagulation, statins, beta-blockers (unless contraindicated), ACE inhibitors.
Complications: Arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, ventricular rupture, post-MI pericarditis.
References:
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st Edition, Ch. 222;
Braunwald’s Heart Disease, 12th Edition, Ch. 42;
UpToDate: Acute STEMI management.
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