Certified Cardiovascular Technician Practice Exam

What can be inferred if the ST segment is elevated on an ECG?

1. Myocardial infarction

2. Normal heart function

3. Arrhythmia

4. Hypotension

The correct answer is: Myocardial infarction

ST segment elevation on an ECG is typically indicative of myocardial infarction, more specifically, it suggests the occurrence of a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction). This elevation occurs due to the myocardial tissue being ischemic and is often seen in cases where there is a blockage in one of the coronary arteries, leading to damage of the heart muscle. In this context, when the ST segment is elevated, it signals that there is an acute condition affecting the heart, particularly compromising blood flow and resulting in tissue injury. It’s critical to recognize this finding as it often necessitates immediate medical intervention to restore blood flow and minimize heart damage. Other conditions like normal heart function, arrhythmia, and hypotension do not typically present with ST segment elevation on an ECG. Normal heart function would usually show a normal ST segment. Arrhythmias can cause different waveforms but do not specifically lead to ST segment elevation. Hypotension might be a consequence of cardiac issues but is not directly reflected by ST segment changes on an ECG.