Published Online: May 17, 2007 - 11:48:20 PM (CDT)
Frank A. Paul, DO, FACOEP Emergency Medicine Residency Director Kingman Regional Medical Center Kingman, Ariz
Felix J. Rogers, DO, FACC Staff Cardiologist Oakwood Southshore Medical Center Trenton, Mich
A 77-year-old white woman presents with multiple episodes of chest discomfort. She describes the discomfort as sharp and occurring in the left breast area, with each episode lasting a few seconds. On previous days she has had a sensation of being weak, accompanied by a hollow feeling in her anterior chest. Her medical history includes atrial fibrillation, hypertension, type 2 diabetes with diabetic neuropathy, and deep venous thrombosis in her left leg. A demand pacemaker was placed in 2001 because of sick sinus syndrome. Physical examination shows: weight, 225 lb; blood pressure, 156/94 mm Hg; respiratory rate, 21 breaths/min; heart rate, 65 beats/min. The heart rhythm is irregular, and there is no murmur or gallop. The abdominal examination is normal. She has trace lower extremity edema. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is obtained (Figure).