Ó?WellensÓ� and Ó?de WinterÓ� electrocardiographic patterns as equivalents of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract

Dear Editor, Recently, the "Wellens" 1 and "de Winter" 2 electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns have been described in your journal, which, without meeting the traditional criteria for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), are correlated with significant acute myocardial infarction. These patterns have been referred to as equivalent to STEMI in an appropriate clinical context of angina, since they reflect a possible coronary occlusion and affect important myocardial territories 3 . Their proper identification is relevant for considering early revascularization therapy and thus improves the prognosis in these patients 4 . We present two cases that illustrate these characteristic "Wellens" and "de Winter" ECG patterns, reinforcing, and expanding their particularities previously discussed in your journal.