Wellens' syndrome
Wellens' syndrome (pronounced: /ˈwɛlənz/), also known as LAD coronary T-wave syndrome or Wellens' warning, is a pattern of electrocardiographic (ECG) changes indicative of critical proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery stenosis. It is named after the Dutch cardiologist, Hein J.J. Wellens, who first described the syndrome in 1982.
Etymology
The syndrome is named after Hein J.J. Wellens, a Dutch cardiologist who, along with his colleagues, first described the condition in a series of patients in 1982.
Signs and Symptoms
Patients with Wellens' syndrome usually present with history of chest pain or angina. However, by the time ECG changes are visible, the patient may be pain-free. The characteristic ECG changes include deeply inverted or biphasic T-waves in the anterior precordial leads, particularly V2 and V3.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Wellens' syndrome is primarily based on the characteristic ECG changes, in conjunction with the patient's clinical history. It is important to differentiate these ECG changes from those seen in other conditions such as myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and bundle branch block.
Treatment
The treatment of Wellens' syndrome involves urgent cardiac catheterization. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may be required to relieve the stenosis.
Prognosis
Without treatment, patients with Wellens' syndrome are at high risk for extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction and death. However, with appropriate treatment, the prognosis is generally good.
See Also
- Electrocardiography
- Left anterior descending artery
- Myocardial infarction
- Pulmonary embolism
- Bundle branch block
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Wellens' syndrome
- Wikipedia's article - Wellens' syndrome
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