One ruptured plaque produces three diagnoses, and only two pieces of data sort them: the 12-lead within ten minutes and the troponin trend. Set the tracing, the leads, the hours since the pain started and the troponin, then read back the diagnosis, the artery at risk, the complication you should be anticipating, and the nurse’s next move.
What does the 12-lead show?
Which leads carry the ST elevation?
Timing and markers
Conventional troponin does not begin to rise for 3–6 hours. High-sensitivity assays rise in 1–3 hours.