According to Sgarbossa Criteria, how many points is discordant ST elevation of 5 mm in leads with a negative QRS worth?

The Sgarbossa Criteria are used to identify myocardial infarction in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) or paced rhythms. According to these criteria, there are specific scenarios that are associated with points assigned based on the presence and morphology of ST segment abnormalities.

When considering discordant ST elevation, the key detail is that discordant ST elevation refers to ST segment elevation that occurs in leads that display a negative QRS complex. In this case, if there is discordant ST elevation of 5 mm or more in such leads, it is indeed worth 2 points according to the Sgarbossa Criteria. This is designed to help quantify the likelihood of an acute myocardial infarction occurring, adjusting for the presence of LBBB or other confounding factors.

This scoring system helps clinicians to assess the risk of serious cardiac events in patients presenting with atypical ECG changes, making it a vital tool in emergency medicine practice.