A 65 year old man presents with severe chest pain and difficulty in breathing. His ECG showed S1Q3T3 pattern with sinus tachycardia. The above ECG suggest the following diagnosis:: (A) Ventricular fibrillation, (B) Acute pulmonary embolism, (C) Second degree hea block, (D) Atrial fibrillation
Answer is B. S1Q3T3 pattern with sinus tachycardia is characterestic of acute pulmonary embolism ie: an s wave in lead I, a Q wave in lead III and an inveed T wave in lead III. These findings are specific but insensitive. and the most common abnormality is T wave inversion in leads V1 to V4. Ref: Harrisons principles of internal medicine, 18th edition, Page: 2172.