Which condition is characterized by chest pain occurring at rest and associated with ST-segment elevation on an ECG?

The condition characterized by chest pain occurring at rest, often severe and prolonged, along with ST-segment elevation on an ECG, is unstable angina. This form of angina signifies an unstable clinical setting and indicates that the heart muscle is not receiving adequate blood flow due to a disruption in the underlying atherosclerotic plaque, which can lead to myocardial infarction if left untreated. In unstable angina, the pain can occur unpredictably and is more intense compared to stable angina, which typically arises from exertion and is alleviated by rest.

ST-segment elevation on the ECG in the context of unstable angina suggests that there may be transient ischemia significant enough to affect the heart muscle. This finding can differentiate it from stable angina, where ECG findings usually return to baseline during episodes of pain. While myocardial infarction also presents with ST-segment elevation, it is marked by the irreversible injury to the heart muscle and typically involves more prolonged pain and other symptoms. Variant angina, caused by coronary artery spasm, can also result in ST-segment elevation but is often associated with chest pain that occurs at rest and can resolve spontaneously or with medications.

Thus, unstable angina represents a critical condition reflecting potential progression toward myocardial infar