Transient J wave-like ST-segment elevation in intracerebral hemorrhage: a case report

BACKGROUND: Certain cerebrovascular events can induce electrocardiography (ECG) abnormalities and cardiac dysfunction. The most frequent patterns reported are nonspecific ST-T change, inverted or broad T wave, prolongation of QT interval as well as ST-segment depression or elevation. Here we present a case of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with transient J wave-like ST-segment elevation accompanied by myocardial lesion. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with right basal ganglia region cerebral hemorrhage. The ECG recorded on the second hospital day showed transient J wave-like ST-segment elevation accompanied by increased myocardial troponin I and myocardial enzyme. CONCLUSIONS: The J wave-like ST-segment elevation may be not a specific ECG signs for primary ischemic heart diseases as it also could be found in ICH patients. We believe that the follow-up ECGs can be used in conjunction with repeated myocardial enzyme analysis and echocardiography to differentiate ICH-ralated J wave-like ST-segment elevation from acute myocardial infarction (AMI), thus avoiding unnecessary cardiac catheterization.