Title: Mimics of STEMI

Category: Cardiology

Keywords: ST-segment elevation (PubMed Search)

Posted: 5/17/2009 by Amal Mattu, MD (Updated: 3/4/2026)

There are multiple causes of electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation which are well-known to mimic STEMI and often are a cause of misdiagnosis of STEMI.  These are:


Whenever there is doubt regarding whether you are dealing with a STEMI or a mimic, look for reciprocal ST-depression. Most of these will not produce ST-depression (LVH, LBBB, Pacers, and hyperkalemia WILL). The other key intervention is to perform serial ECGs and look for evolving changes, which strongly points to the presence of a true STEMI.