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An Introduction to 12-lead ST Monitoring

Early detection of ischemia can help in the timely start of life-saving intervention. Persistent ST segment elevation is a sign of acute myocardial injury, and the more leads are involved, the more detail can be provided about the injury. This is why 12-lead ST monitoring is beneficial.

What is ST segment analysis?

The sequential electrical activation of the heart muscle results in P-, QRS- and T-waves in the ECG. The P-wave represents atrial depolarization, the QRS-complex represents ventricular depolarization, and the T-wave represents ventricular repolarization. The ST segment, the phase between the ventricular depolarization and repolarization, is usually isoelectric and slightly slanted upwards.

In coronary artery disease the blood flow to the heart muscle may be compromised. If oxygen delivery is not sufficient, ischemia results in the myocardium. The ischemic tissue cannot maintain the membrane potential. This is seen by displacement of the ST segment: downwards in subendocardial injury and upwards in subepicardial injury. The larger the ischemic area, the greater this deviation. The most commonly accepted criteria for evidence of myocardial ischemia is ST segment deviation greater than 1 mm (0.1 mV).¹


ST-segment indicating ischemia
Fig 1. ST-segment indicating ischemia

Why 12-lead ST monitoring?

Early detection of ischemia can help in the institution of timely lifesaving intervention. Persistent ST segment elevation is a sign of acute myocardial injury: the more leads involved, the more detail can be provided about the injury.

ST changes in different leads reflect the location of the ischemic area. A method of increasing the sensitivity in order to detect ischemic events is to add more ECG leads.  If lead V5 is used alone the sensitivity is found to be 75%. But if leads V4 and V5 are used concurrently, the sensitivity increases up to 90%. The conventional combination of leads II and V5 give a sensitivity of 80%. However, if leads II, V4 and V5 are combined, the sensitivity increases to 96%. Sensitivity of close to 100% is achieved if leads V2 and V3 are added to the above given lead combination.²

12-lead ST

NOTE: ST segment changes may also be affected by such factors as some drugs or metabolic and conduction disturbances.
NOTE: The significance of the ST segment changes needs to be determined by a physician.


How is the ST segment analyzed?

The ST segment begins at the point where the QRS ends (J-point). Typically ST changes are measured at 60 ms or 80 ms after J-point. For monitoring purposes it is important that the measurement point is accurate to obtain a reliable trend of ST changes.

The sophisticated algorithms in GE monitors search for the J and isoelectric (ISO) points. The ISO point is a point on the isoelectric line and is considered the baseline voltage of ECG. The system learns the ECG and stores the reference QRST complex. The algorithm sets the ISO and J points automatically. These points can also be adjusted manually when the E-PSM or E-PRESTN module is used. When the CARESCAPE™ Patient Data Module or Tram® module is used with a CARESCAPE modular monitor, the ST point can be manually adjusted. The QRS analysis classifies each beat by using several criteria and rejects distorted complexes from the ST calculation.

ST is analyzed for all measured leads. With a 10-lead trunk cable GE monitors analyze and trend the ST segment changes continuously for 12 leads. With a 6-lead trunk cable continuous ST segment analysis and trending are done for eight leads, or for 12-leads if the 12RL™ algorithm is in use. (Please consult “12RL Reconstructed 12 lead ECG Quick Guide” or the monitor’s manual for details.) With a 5-lead trunk cable analysis and trending are done for seven leads, and with a 3-lead trunk cable analysis and trending are done for one lead.

The ST parameter window of a CARESCAPE or GE’s Datex-Ohmeda monitor shows three user selectable ST leads. The fourth ST value shows the largest absolute ST lead of all monitored leads. When a Solar®, Dash® or CARESCAPE modular monitor is used, the user can also choose all leads to be shown as an alternative to ST number field. The “All leads” option shows ST values for all available ECG leads. This may help the clinician to notice if ischemia is spreading to new areas.

Tracking ischemic changes inthe QRST complex

Upon initiation the monitor learns the reference ST values. The monitor will analyze and store the reference QRST complexes of all leads, which can be easily compared to the following complexes. It is important to have the capability to store and interchange reference QRST complexes. This allows the clinician to see the effect of treatment on the patient.

With a CARESCAPE or GE’s Datex-Ohmeda monitor it is possible to store and select up to seven reference QRST complexes during monitoring.  The clinician may review the ST changes during each course of therapy (e.g. through the entire thrombolysis and revascularization procedures).

In addition to trending ST values, the GE solution is also capable of trending the shape of the QRST complex. (This is not applicable to the Solar or Dash monitors.) QRST complexes are automatically saved for all leads every 10 minutes. These complexes can be reviewed by simply moving the cursor on the ST trends. Furthermore, the user may print the stored complexes to track the progress of the ST level over a selected time period.

12-lead ECG view
Fig 2. 12-lead ECG view
ST number field
Fig 3. ST number field
ST trend view
Fig 4. ST trend view

Localizing the ischemic area

Localizing the area of ischemia on the 12-lead ECG is a clinical necessity. The leads of the 12-lead ECG are grouped according to the regions of heart they view. One criterion for identifying myocardial ischemia is ST elevation of 1 mm or more observed in two contiguous ECG leads.³

The GE solution provides viewing, printing and alarm setting capabilities for the leads shown. Lead grouping, combined with clear, concise trend analysis, allows for accurate estimation of patient ischemic status. The ischemic burden view is a graphical way to show ischemic changes by lead groups.

ST alarm view
Fig 5. ST alarm view
Ischemic burden view
Fig 6. Ischemic burden view

Ischemic burden

Instead of a single ST value, the duration and trend of the ischemic events are considered to provide the most valuable information while assessing the severity of cardiac ischemia.

In the GE patient monitoring solution, the sophisticated ischemic burden display gives valuable information about the development of ischemia. In the ST trend screen the user may select the thresholds over which the monitored ST levels should not rise. If the monitor detects ST levels over the threshold, the area will be shaded by a specific color. This allows easy and accurate visualization in the duration of ischemic events.

Practical aspects of ST Segment monitoring

Other factors affecting the ST segment

Prinzmetal’s angina is a temporary, reversible coronary artery spasm, which may or may not be associated with chest pain. It is indicated in the ECG as ST elevation, which resolves in minutes. Acute pulmonary embolism may be associated with ST elevation in leads monitoring the right side of the heart. In pericarditis ST elevation is frequently seen, but is diffuse and involves multiple leads.


The ST segment changes represent the low frequency changes in the ECG. In the CARESCAPE modular monitors, Solar or Dash monitors the filter setting choices are diagnostic, monitoring, moderate or maximum filter. ST calculations are not affected by the filter settings in CARESCAPE monitors, but only the waveforms on the monitor screen or on a printed strip may be affected.

Pacemaker patients

The ST segment of paced beats may not be diagnostic for ischemia or infarct. In GE’s Datex-Ohmeda monitors all ventricular paced beats are excluded from the ST analysis. In the Dash monitor or with other monitors using the Tram or CARESCAPE Patient Data Module the algorithm uses the “favorite template” for ST calculations. “Reference complex” is defined as the typical and most frequent QRS morphology in the monitored ECG signal. There are differences in functionality between the GE patient monitors. Please consult the appropriate user’s manual for details.

Additional resources

For white papers, guides and other instructive materials about GE Healthcare’s clinical measurements, technologies and applications, please visit



  1. Barill, Tracy., An ECG Primer. Nursecom EducationalTechnologies, 87, (2003).
  2. London MJ: “Intraoperative Myocardial Ischemia: Localization by Continuous 12-Lead Electrocardiography,” Anesthesiology 69, 232-41 (1988).
  3. Barill, Tracy., An ECG Primer. Nursecom Educational Technologies, 87, (2003).
  • Circulatory
  • ECG
  • Cardiac care
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