PROGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE OF TYPE AND LOCATION OF A 1ST MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

The prognostic significance of type (Q-wave versus non-Q-wave) and loc ation of infarction (anterior versus infero-posterior) was assessed in 350 patients with a first myocardial infarction followed for 3 years. A baseline multivariate Cox model was constructed from variables asse ssable at entry of the index infarction. The prognostic significance o f site and type of infarction was evaluated when added to this model. Both Q-wave infarction and anterior location were significant with a r isk ratio of 1.91 (95% confidence interval 1.14-3.18) and 1.70 (95% co nfidence interval 1.11-2.61) respectively. However, when the model als o included the size of infarction, Q-wave infarction was no longer for mally significant, while anterior location still was associated with a dverse outcome (risk ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.02-2.39). I t is inferred from the results that this effect of anterior infarction is due to a larger damage to the left ventricle for identical infarct sizes compared to infero-posterior infarctions.