unstable angina vs MI

[ptptt]

Here is something that may help to pass the time until St. Pat's day:
Can USA and MI be differentiated by clinical symptoms?
This was an argument that we were having on rounds this AM. Anybody have any input? I don't think that you can tell the difference on clinical symptoms.

thanks

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[lurkerboy]

Here is something that may help to pass the time until St. Pat's day:
Can USA and MI be differentiated by clinical symptoms?
This was an argument that we were having on rounds this AM. Anybody have any input? I don't think that you can tell the difference on clinical symptoms.

thanks

What do you mean? Is it differentiating based on the quality, intensity or location of pain, +/- diaphoresis, +/- relief with SLNTG, +/- relief with GI cocktail.. I'd say the answer is no.

 

[hemoglobin]

I think the primary answer for your question is NO... Only with ECG and enzymes we can differentiate between the two. However, there is one clinical aspect that can give us a clue: duration of pain. If the patient has the pain for, let's say, 4 hours, it is more likely to be MI and UA. "Likely"is the key here though.

Hb