Recognising the de Winter ECG pattern - A time critical electrocardiographic diagnosis in the Emergency Department.

The de Winter ECG pattern is associated with proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion, being a significant risk factor for anterior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction. We present a case of a patient who attended our Emergency Department with chest pain and a prehospital ECG demonstrating transient infero-lateral lead ST segment elevation, which changed to the de Winter ECG pattern in our Emergency Department. She subsequently underwent primary PCI of the culprit lesion within the left anterior descending artery (LAD).

How accurate are predicted waiting times, determined upon a patient's arrival in the Emergency Department?

Background: Information regarding waiting times has been shown to be a key determinant of patient satisfaction. This study aimed to examine the potential accuracy of predicted waiting times determined on the patient's arrival in the Emergency Department (ED).

Methods: A retrospective study of 50 000 consecutive patients attending a single ED was undertaken.