Rapid progression of Wellens syndrome in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND

In 1982, Wellens and colleagues described characteristic electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in angina patients virtually pathognomonic for significant stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery and associated with a high risk of acute anterior wall myocardial infarction.

CASE REPORT

We present the case of a 74-year-old emergency department patient with classic ECG findings of Wellens syndrome and progression to acute ST elevation within 55 min.

SUMMARY

We present this case to increase awareness among emergency physicians of the characteristic findings of Wellens syndrome.