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  • Title: Electrocardiographic signs of remote myocardial infarction.
    Author: Michael MA, El Masry H, Khan BR, Das MK.
    Journal: Prog Cardiovasc Dis; 2007; 50(3):198-208. PubMed ID: 17976504.
    Abstract:
    Twelve-lead electrocardiogram is an integral part of the evaluation of an acute and a remote myocardial infarction (MI). Electrocardiographic signs of an acute ST-elevation MI are more precise than those of an acute non-ST-elevation MI. Recognition of a remote MI is more difficult because once the repolarization abnormalities (ST-segment and T-wave changes) stabilize after an acute MI resolves, then the Q wave remains as the only universally recognized sign of MI. In addition, there is no specific sign of a non-Q-wave MI or a non-ST-elevation MI, or in fact of an ST-elevation MI that did not result in Q waves. The fragmented QRS (fQRS) is another recently described sign of a remote MI. It is defined by the presence of an additional R wave (R') or notching in the nadir of the S wave, or the presence of >1 R' (fragmentation) in 2 contiguous leads corresponding to a major coronary artery territory. The specificity of fQRS is inferior to that of a Q wave for an MI scar (89% vs 99%). However, fQRS has a superior sensitivity and a negative predictive value compared with a Q wave. In addition, there is an incremental gain in the sensitivity up to 91.4% when these 2 signs (fQRS and Q wave) are combined. The repolarization abnormalities of MI may also persist indefinitely as a sign of a remote MI in few patients. These abnormalities include persistent ST elevation, ST depression, nonspecific ST-T wave changes, and T-wave inversion.
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