Wellens' syndrome

Background

• T wave abnormality that is associated with critical LAD stenosis
  • Finding can be transient (persists for hours after pain has resolved and then disappears)

Criteria

• Must meet all of the following:

1. Biphasic T waves in leads V2-V3 OR symmetric, often deeply inverted T waves in V2-V3

• A: Biphasic pattern
• B: Inversion pattern

1. Prior history of chest pain
2. Little or no cardiac enzyme elevation
3. No pathologic precordial Q waves
4. Little or no ST-segment elevation
5. No loss of precordial R waves

Treatment

1. Urgent cardiac catheterization

Source

Wellens’ Syndrome. Annals of Emergency Medicine, March, 1999