The Olson method for detection of acute myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary occlusion

•An automated method using all available spatial information in the 12-lead ECG may provide diagnostic support in the clinical diagnosis of acute coronary occlusion•The variation of the Olson wall scores in individuals without myocardial ischemia is presented•The Olson method seems to be applicable for ischemia detection

An automated ECG-based method may provide diagnostic support in the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome. The Olson method has previously proved to accurately identify the culprit artery in patients with acute coronary occlusion.MethodsThe Olson method was applied to 360 patients without acute myocardial ischemia and 52 patients with acute coronary occlusion.ResultsThis study establishes the normal variation of the Olson wall scores in patients without acute myocardial ischemia, which provides the basis for implementation of the Olson method for triage of patients with acute coronary syndrome. All patients with acute occlusion had Olson wall scores above the upper limit of normal.ConclusionThe Olson method can be used for ischemia detection with very high sensitivity. Future studies are needed to explore specificity in patients with non-ischemic ST elevation.