Highlights
- •Acute coronary syndrome may present with various electrocardiographic morphologies.
- •Wellens syndrome is a preinfarction state with distinct electrocardiographic changes in the precordial leads.
- •Wellens syndrome is highly specific for proximal stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery.
- •Medical management and cardiac catheterization are usually required for treatment.
- •Nurse practitioners should identify these patients as they present to the emergency department.
Abstract
Acute coronary syndrome is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, requiring
emergency care and admission. Wellens syndrome is a preinfarction state that may not
have the classic electrocardiographic findings expected with other forms of acute
coronary syndrome or the elevated cardiac enzymes. This lack of typical changes in
electrocardiography provides a clinical challenge for diagnosis. The ability to promptly
identify and treat this time-sensitive state of potential myocardial infarction and
death has a significant prognostic value that cannot be overstated.
Keywords
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Biography
Giselle Garcia Rivero, DNP, PPCNP-BC, is an assistant professor of clinical at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies in Miami, FL, and can be contacted att [email protected]
Biography
Catherine Nadeau, DNP, FNP-BC, CNE, is an assistant professor and concentration director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program, University of South Florida in Tampa.
Biography
Christina Cardy, DNP, AGACNP-BC, is an assistant professor and concentration director of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program, University of South Florida.
Biography
Nichole Crenshaw, DNP, AGACNP-BC, AMP -BC, CHSE, is an associate professor of clinical and asssociate dean for undergraduate nursing programs and associate provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies.
Biography
Juan M. Gonzalez, DNP, AGACNP-BC, ENP-C, FNP-BC, CNE, is an associate professor of clinical and director of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program, University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 02, 2023
Footnotes
In compliance with standard ethical guidelines, the authors report no relationships with business or industry that would pose a conflict of interest.
Identification
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© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
