Master 12-Lead Interpretation—STEMI, Bundle Branch Blocks, Hypertrophy, and Every Mimic That Tries to Fool You

A patient arrives with chest pain. The 12-lead ECG is in front of you. Is it a STEMI? Is it hiding behind a bundle branch block? Is it actually pericarditis, a pulmonary embolism, or simply left ventricular hypertrophy with strain?

ECG in 60 Minutes: 12-Lead Mastery gives you a practical, step-by-step framework to answer those questions accurately under real-world time pressure.

This is Book 3 in the ECG in 60 Minutes series by Ryan Mitchell, MD. Building on Book 1: Fundamentals and Book 2: Arrhythmias, this volume teaches systematic 12-lead ECG interpretation for emergency nurses, nursing students, medical students, paramedics, and clinicians preparing for NCLEX, USMLE Step 2 CK, and ACLS. Like the rest of the series, it uses an exam-focused, table-driven, black-and-white format that is easy to study during a shift or the night before an exam.

What You'll Learn

• Coronary anatomy and the lead map—identify the culprit artery from ECG lead patterns and distinguish RCA from LCx infarctions.

• Complete STEMI localization—including anterior, septal, lateral, inferior, posterior, and right ventricular myocardial infarctions, along with diagnostic voltage criteria and essential nitrate contraindications.

• STEMI equivalents—including de Winter pattern, Wellens syndrome, and posterior myocardial infarction—the life-threatening conditions that don't present like classic STEMIs.

• Sgarbossa and Modified Sgarbossa Criteria—learn to diagnose acute myocardial infarction in patients with left bundle branch block through clear, step-by-step calculations.

• Hypertrophy interpretation—master the Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell criteria while distinguishing ventricular hypertrophy with strain from true myocardial ischemia.

• NSTEMI and subtle ischemia—recognize diffuse ST-segment depression with aVR elevation and understand why a normal ECG never completely excludes myocardial infarction.

• Pericarditis and cardiac tamponade—differentiate important STEMI mimics and identify ECG findings that require immediate recognition.

• Pulmonary embolism—learn why the classic S1Q3T3 pattern is uncommon and recognize the ECG findings more frequently seen in real clinical practice.

• A complete 12-lead interpretation system—integrate everything you've learned into one bedside approach, reinforced with a 13-step rapid interpretation drill.

Why This Book Is Different

Every chapter follows the same easy-to-follow format:

• Core Concept

• Key ECG Features

• Localization and Causes

• Clinical Management

• Exam Pearl

• Remember This

Complex concepts, including Modified Sgarbossa ratio calculations, are explained with fully worked examples so you can confidently apply them at the bedside or on exams. Every chart and table is presented in a clean black-and-white format for maximum readability and easy printing.

Critical & Intensive Care