Wellens' syndrome: identification of critical proximal left anterior descending stenosis.

By understanding and recognizing the signs of Wellens' syndrome: 1) unstable angina; 2) little or no enzyme elevation; 3) little or no ST elevation; 4) no loss of precordial R waves; 5) progressive, symmetrical, deep T wave inversion in V2 and V3, the informed critical care nurse can make an important nursing diagnosis and, with the life-saving interventions now available, can save many individuals from massive anterior wall MI.