[The history of a detail--a study of ST-elevation in ECG].

ST-elevation in EKG is an important diagnostic sign of acute myocardial infarction since more than 80 years. Important clinical decisions such as hospitalisation for intensive coronary care and reperfusion of the occluded coronary artery by means of thrombolytic drugs or catheter intervention depend on this sign. A rapid resolution of a ST-elevation during these therapeutic procedures reflects successful reperfusion of the infarct-related coronary artery. The definition of ST-elevation is sometimes problematic. Availability of the patient's previous EKG from a database facilitates evaluation of ST-elevations.