Electrocardiographic semi-spiked helmet sign in critically Ill patients: A case series.

RATIONALE

ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram (ECG) is an alarming sign. Although acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the most common cause of ST-segment elevation, many non-ischemic conditions may produce pseudo-ST segment elevation. Spiked Helmet (SH) sign is one of the pseudo-ST segment elevations that is associated with critical illness and high risk of death. SH sign was characterized by an upward shift starting before the onset of the QRS complex; however, we found some patients presented with a peculiar characteristic on ECG with an upward convex ST-segment elevation after the QRS wave but without elevation before the QRS wave, therefore called Semi-SH sign. Also, this electrocardiographic feature exists in patients with critical disease and is related to poor prognosis. The purpose of this case series is to describe the electrocardiographic Semi-SH sign and enhance the awareness of such electrocardiographic manifestation for clinicians.

PATIENTS CONCERNS

This case series explores the possibility of severe infection induced electrocardiographic changes resembling spiked-helmet sign.

DIAGNOSES

Sepsis-induced secondary myocardial injury or coronary vasospasm.

INTERVENTIONS

Gastric decompression, antibiotics, diuretics, advanced life support.

OUTCOMES

The outcome of this case series is the association of the electrocardiographic Semi-SH sign with the prognosis. All 3 patients died several days post manifestation of electrocardiographic Semi-SH sign.

LESSON

Like SH sign, electrocardiographic Semi-SH sign is a life-threatening or deadly ECG sign, and therefore early recognition and aggressive treatment are important.