Correlation of predischarge electrocardiographic patterns with left ventricular function in patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the correlation between dif ferent predischarge electrocardiographic patterns and left ventricular func tion, evaluated by physical examination and echocardiography, in patients w ith first Q wave anterior acute myocardial infarction, A positive correlati on was found between the electrocardiographic pattern and wall motion score assessed by echocardiography, reflecting a gradual worsening in left ventr icular function among the different patterns. Patients with an isoelectric ST segment and negative T waves had a 73% decrease in the risk of clinical heart failure compared to those who continued to have ST elevation. Thus, a predischarge electrocardiogram can be used as a simple, noninvasive method for the risk stratification of patients with acute myocardial infarction, Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.