Wellens syndrome

Wellens syndrome

 [wel´enz]

a group of signs indicating critical proximal stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery in patients with unstable angina at a time when there is no pain. It consists of normal or minimally elevated cardiac enzyme levels; little or no elevation of the ST segment; no loss of precordial R waves; and progressive, deep, symmetrical inversion of the T waves, particularly in leads V₁ and V₂ (though not confined to these leads).

Wellens syndrome

(wel′ĕn)

[Hein J.J. Wellens, contemporary Dutch cardiologist]

The electrocardiographic (ECG) signs of impending occlusion of the left main or left anterior descending coronary artery. ECG shows an inverted symmetrical T wave with little or no associated change of the ST segment or R wave. Inversion appears principally in the V leads. The finding identifies patients who are at risk for an extensive myocardial infarction.