Authors

  1. Davis, Wesley D. DNP, ENP-C, FNP-C, AGACNP-BC, CEN
  2. Goettl, Bradley DNP, ENP-C, FNP-C, AGACNP-BC, EMT-P
  3. Bowden, Leah BSN, RN

Abstract

An 87-year-old female patient presented with altered mental status. During the routine workup for altered mental status, an electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained. The ECG showed T-wave morphology known to be consistent with myocardial infarction. Although the ECG is a crucial diagnostic tool to recognize myocardial ischemia and infarction promptly, it must be understood that T-wave abnormalities can represent noncardiac pathology. A case presentation illustrates a unique ECG change whose presence is associated with catastrophic central nervous system diseases that cause increased intracranial pressure.