Wellens pattern as the debut of acute pulmonary embolism: A case report

J Electrocardiol. 2023 Nov-Dec:81:132-135. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2023.08.016. Epub 2023 Sep 4.

Abstract

The Wellens pattern is an electrocardiographic finding seen in patients with chest pain and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and is described as a symmetrical T-wave inversion or biphasic T-wave inversion in precordial leads. The deep inversion of the precordial T wave is a sign associated with various etiologies, including left ventricular hypertrophy, vasospasm, and pulmonary embolism. We present the case of a patient who debuts with chest pain and electrocardiographic findings consistent with the Wellens and McGinn-White patterns, who was subsequently diagnosed with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism after ruling out obstructive coronary artery disease. We discussed the differential diagnostic approach to T-wave inversion as a sign associated with high-risk conditions.

Keywords: Chest pain; Pulmonary embolism; Wellens syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / complications
  • Chest Pain / diagnosis
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Coronary Artery Disease* / complications
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / complications
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / diagnosis