St depression意思

"ST depression" is a term used in electrocardiography (ECG) to describe a characteristic pattern seen on a heart monitor or ECG tracing. It refers to a downward or negative deflection in the ST segment of the ECG waveform. The ST segment is the flat portion of the tracing that follows the QRS complex, which represents the depolarization of the ventricles.

ST depression is typically seen in the context of myocardial ischemia, which is a lack of blood flow to the heart muscle. This can be due to coronary artery disease, where the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. When there is not enough blood flow to a part of the heart muscle, the cells in that area can begin to die, leading to a heart attack.

ST depression on an ECG can be an early sign of myocardial ischemia and can help healthcare providers to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease before a heart attack occurs. However, it is important to note that ST depression can also be caused by other factors, such as electrolyte imbalances, certain medications, or physical stress, so it is not always indicative of coronary artery disease.