I. Gussak et al., Exercise-induced ST segment elevation in Q wave leads in postinfarction patients: Defining its meaning and utility in today's practice, CARDIOLOGY, 93(4), 2000, pp. 205-209
Citations number
48
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","Cardiovascular & Hematology Research
Most attempts to identify qualitative and quantitative techniques for asses
sing myocardial viability and the likelihood of improved function after rev
ascularization in patients with healed myocardial infarcts have focused on
treatment strategies and prognosis. This review examines the true value of
the electrocardiographic phenomenon of exercise-induced ST segment elevatio
n (EISTE) in Q wave leads as a diagnostic tool for the assessment of myocar
dial viability. The prognostic potential and clinical utility of the EISTE
phenomenon are inhibited both by the heart's electrophysiologic response to
exercise-induced metabolic and hemodynamic changes, and by the ECG's limit
ed facility in assessing myocardial preservation. The use of EISTE as an in
dependent indicator for surgical intervention is proscribed by these limita
tions. The EISTE phenomenon could serve as a useful tool in the first line
of discrimination in patients with healed Q wave myocardial infarction, and
may justify further diagnostic work-up in patients under consideration for
a revascularization procedure. In the era of sophisticated nuclear and ech
o techniques, accurate imaging studies should not be replaced by ECG analys
is alone in the search for viable tissue, except when financial costs are o
f major importance. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG. Basel.