I now have excellent images for all 10 ECG patterns. Let me compile the comprehensive answer.
Top 10 ECG Changes — With Images
1. 🫀 STEMI — ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Key ECG Features:
- Convex ("tombstone") ST elevation ≥1 mm in ≥2 contiguous limb leads or ≥2 mm in precordial leads
- Reciprocal ST depression in opposing leads
- Hyperacute T waves (earliest sign)
- Q waves (evolve over hours — sign of necrosis)
- T-wave inversion (late sign)
Territories:
| Territory | ST Elevation | Reciprocal Changes | Culprit Vessel |
|---|
| Inferior | II, III, aVF | aVL, I | RCA or LCx |
| Anterior | V1–V4 | II, III, aVF | LAD |
| Anterolateral | V1–V6, I, aVL | II, III, aVF | LAD (proximal) |
| Lateral | I, aVL, V5–V6 | aVF | LCx diagonal |
Inferior STEMI (Tombstone Pattern)
Anterolateral STEMI
Inferolateral STEMI with annotated leads
2. 🔥 Pericarditis
Key ECG Features (4 stages):
- Stage 1 (acute): Diffuse concave ("saddle-shaped") ST elevation in nearly all leads; PR depression (most specific) in II, V4–V6; PR elevation in aVR
- Stage 2: ST normalises, T-wave flattening
- Stage 3: T-wave inversion
- Stage 4: Normalisation
Distinguishing from STEMI: ST elevation is diffuse (not territory-limited), concave (not convex), PR depression is present, no reciprocal ST depression (except aVR).
Spodick's sign: Downsloping TP segment in multiple leads — highly specific.
3. ⚡ Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Key ECG Features:
- Absent P waves — replaced by chaotic fibrillatory (f) waves (best seen in V1, II)
- Irregularly irregular R-R intervals (hallmark)
- Narrow QRS complexes (unless aberrant conduction)
- Ventricular rate 100–160 bpm if uncontrolled
Coarse AF (f waves >1 mm) vs fine AF (f waves <1 mm — may look like isoelectric baseline).
4. 🔌 Complete (Third-Degree) AV Block
Key ECG Features:
- Complete AV dissociation — P waves and QRS complexes march independently
- Atrial rate > ventricular escape rate
- Regular P-P intervals AND regular R-R intervals (both regular, but unrelated)
- Escape QRS morphology:
- Narrow (junctional escape, rate 40–60 bpm) — higher block
- Wide (ventricular escape, rate 20–40 bpm) — infranodal block
5. 🌩 Hyperkalemia
Key ECG Features (progressive with rising K⁺):
| K⁺ Level | ECG Change |
|---|
| 5.5–6.5 mEq/L | Tall, peaked ("tented") T waves — narrow base, symmetric |
| 6.5–7.5 mEq/L | Prolonged PR, flattened/absent P waves |
| 7.5–8.0 mEq/L | Widened QRS (intraventricular conduction delay) |
| >8.0 mEq/L | Sine wave pattern → VF → asystole |
6. 🚧 Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB)
Key ECG Features (WiLLiaM mnemonic — W in V1, M in V6):
- QRS ≥120 ms (complete LBBB)
- Deep, broad S waves in V1–V3
- Broad, notched ("M-shaped" or monophasic) R waves in I, aVL, V5–V6
- No septal Q waves in lateral leads
- Discordant ST-T changes (ST and T wave opposite to QRS direction)
- Left axis deviation common
Clinical pearl: New LBBB in the context of chest pain = treat as STEMI equivalent (Sgarbossa criteria apply).
7. ⚠️ Brugada Syndrome (Type 1 Pattern)
Key ECG Features:
- Coved ST elevation ≥2 mm in V1–V2 with a descending ST segment directly into an inverted T wave (no isoelectric gap)
- Pseudo-RBBB morphology
- Normal QRS duration
- No actual structural heart disease
Three Brugada patterns:
| Type | Morphology | Clinical Significance |
|---|
| Type 1 (coved) | ST ≥2 mm coved + inverted T | Diagnostic |
| Type 2 (saddle-back) | ST ≥1 mm with upright/biphasic T | Suggestive, needs provocation |
| Type 3 | ST <1 mm | Not diagnostic alone |
Associated with SCN5A mutation (sodium channel), risk of sudden cardiac death.
8. 🔁 Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome
Key ECG Features (classic triad):
- Short PR interval (<120 ms) — accessory pathway bypasses AV node
- Delta wave — slurred upstroke at start of QRS (pre-excitation)
- Widened QRS >120 ms (due to fusion of normal + accessory conduction)
- Secondary ST-T changes — discordant with QRS
Localising the accessory pathway: Delta wave polarity in various leads predicts location (e.g., positive delta in V1 = left-sided pathway; negative delta in inferior leads = posteroseptal pathway).
Risk: WPW + AF can conduct at very high rates via accessory pathway → pre-excited AF → VF.
9. 🌀 Torsades de Pointes (TdP) / Long QT Syndrome
Long QT ECG:
- QTc >450 ms (men), >460 ms (women) — corrected with Bazett's formula
- T-wave morphology abnormalities (bifid T waves in LQT2, broad-based in LQT1)
Torsades de Pointes ECG:
- Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia with QRS complexes that appear to "twist" around the isoelectric baseline
- Rate 200–250 bpm
- Classic initiator: pause-dependent onset (long-short RR sequence)
- Preceded by prolonged QT on baseline ECG
Common causes: Electrolyte disturbances (↓K⁺, ↓Mg²⁺), drugs (antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics, antibiotics), congenital LQTS.
Treatment: IV magnesium sulfate 2g, overdrive pacing, remove offending agents.
10. 🫁 Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
Key ECG Features (right heart strain pattern):
- Sinus tachycardia — most common finding (seen in >40%)
- S1Q3T3 pattern — S wave in lead I, Q wave + T-wave inversion in lead III (seen in ~20%)
- Right axis deviation
- Incomplete or complete RBBB
- T-wave inversions V1–V4 (right ventricular strain)
- P pulmonale (tall P wave >2.5 mm in II)
- Right precordial ST changes
None of these changes are specific — ECG is primarily used to exclude other diagnoses (e.g., STEMI, pericarditis) in suspected PE.
Quick Reference Summary
| # | Condition | Key ECG Finding | Emergency? |
|---|
| 1 | STEMI | Convex ST elevation + reciprocal depression | 🔴 Yes — PCI |
| 2 | Pericarditis | Diffuse concave ST elevation + PR depression | 🟡 Urgent eval |
| 3 | Atrial Fibrillation | Absent P waves, irregular R-R | 🟡 Rate/rhythm control |
| 4 | Complete AV Block | AV dissociation, slow escape | 🔴 Yes — pacing |
| 5 | Hyperkalemia | Peaked T → sine wave | 🔴 Yes — calcium IV |
| 6 | LBBB | Wide QRS, notched R V6, deep S V1 | 🟡 If new + chest pain |
| 7 | Brugada | Coved ST V1–V2, inverted T | 🔴 ICD referral |
| 8 | WPW | Short PR + delta wave | 🟡 Ablation referral |
| 9 | Torsades de Pointes | Twisting polymorphic VT | 🔴 Yes — Mg²⁺ IV |
| 10 | Pulmonary Embolism | S1Q3T3, sinus tachycardia | 🔴 Yes — anticoagulation |