Characterization of Wellens syndrome and its relationship as a predictor of severe obstruction of the left anterior descending artery. Intensive Coronary Care Unit Hospital Manuel Fajardo 2016-2017
Abstract
Introduction: Wellens syndrome is an electrocardiographic pattern that has been suggested, since the 1980s, as indicator of severe obstruction of the left anterior descending artery, although it is poorly understood and it is not found in the main treatment guidelines for acute coronary syndromes.
Objectives: To demonstrate the usefulness of the diagnosis of Wellens syndrome as a predictor of severe obstruction of the left anterior descending artery.
Method: A cross-sectional study with an analytical component was carried out, covering the 40 patients admitted to the Intensive Coronary Care Unit of the Hospital Manuel Fajardo, in the period from January 2016 to December 2017, with a diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, who underwent coronary angiography.
Results: The presence of Wellens syndrome was found in 13.5% of the patients admitted with this type of acute coronary syndrome. Age, sex and the presence of comorbidities were not significantly related to the presence of this syndrome. The angiographic study showed, in patients with a Wellens syndrome, a relative risk –3.4 times greater than the rest– of presenting a severe obstruction of the left anterior descending artery.
Conclusions: The timely identification of Wellens syndrome and its relationship with a severe coronary obstruction should motivate an early interventionist strategy in these cases.
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