Prevalence of acute cardiac disorders in patients with suspected ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non-significant coronary artery disease

Abstract Background and purpose We aimed to study the prevalence of acute cardiac disorders in patients with suspected ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-significant coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods From January to October 2012 we consecutively included patients admitted with suspected STEMI and non-significant CAD (coronary artery stenosis diameter  50 ng/l or creatine kinase MB > 4 μg/l) or dynamic ECG changes (ST-segment changes or T-wave inversion). Results Of the 871 patients admitted with suspected STEMI, 11% ( n  = 95) had non-significant CAD. Of these, 67% ( n  = 64) had elevated cardiac biomarkers or dynamic ECG changes and were accordingly diagnosed with acute cardiac disorders. In the remaining 33% ( n  = 31) of patients, cardiac biomarkers were normal and ECG changes remained stationary. Conclusions Acute cardiac disorders were diagnosed in two thirds of patients with suspected STEMI and non-significant CAD.