Q waves in the inferior leads present the picture of myocardial infarction of the lower, or frequently posterior, possibly laterally left ventricular wall.

What clinical condition could one suspect if the Q wave is abnormal?

Abnormal Q waves on the electrocardiogram (ECG) usually represent remote or recent myocardial infarction. Q waves in coronary heart disease: newer understanding of their clinical implications.

What do Q waves indicate?

By definition, a Q wave on the electrocardiogram (ECG) is an initially negative deflection of the QRS complex. Technically, a Q wave indicates that the net direction of early ventricular depolarization (QRS) electrical forces projects toward the negative pole of the lead axis in question.

What causes significant Q waves on ECG?

Pathologic Q waves are a sign of previous myocardial infarction. They are the result of absence of electrical activity. A myocardial infarction can be thought of as an elecrical ‘hole’ as scar tissue is electrically dead and therefore results in pathologic Q waves.

What causes abnormal Q waves?

Background: Abnormal Q waves (AQW) in the electrocardiogram are commonly ascribed to underlying myocardial infarction (MI). As an imperfectly specific sign of MI, the usefulness of AQW in identifying MI depends on its incidence in the population studied.

Are Q waves always pathological?

Q waves in the right precordium are always pathologic and are commonly associated with right ventricular hypertrophy. Deep Q waves in the left lateral precordial leads are often seen with left ventricular hypertrophy of many etiologies.

What does an abnormal Q wave mean?

Q-WAVE ABNORMALITIES Q waves represent the initial phase of ventricular depolarization. They are pathologic if they are abnormally wide (>0.2 second) or abnormally deep (>5 mm). Q waves that are pathologically deep but not wide are often indicators of ventricular hypertrophy.

What is abnormal Q waves in ECG?

T‐wave abnormalities in the setting of non‐ ST ‐segment elevation acute coronary syndromes are related to the presence of myocardial edema. High specificity of this ECG alteration identifies a change in ischemic myocardium associated with worse outcomes that is potentially reversible.

What would be expected when evaluating an ECG for an inferior infarction?

Upon ECG analysis, inferior STEMI displays ST-elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. There are subtle differences in the ECG pattern depending on the artery occluded. Reciprocal changes (ST-segment depression) may be seen in lead aVL [6].

How is inferior stemi treated?

FIELD TREATMENT Fluid infusion is the mainstay of treatment for patients with RVI. In the case of an inferior MI with right ventricular involvement, the administration of nitroglycerin and morphine could cause an abrupt drop in blood pressure.

Which finding is a complication of myocardial infarction?

Complications of AMI include [ 1 ,2 ]: Ischaemic (including failure of reperfusion): angina, re-infarction, infarct extension. Mechanical: heart failure, cardiogenic shock, mitral valve dysfunction, aneurysms, cardiac rupture. Arrhythmic: atrial or ventricular arrhythmias, sinus or atrioventricular (AV) node dysfunction.

What can a significant Q wave indicate hypercalcemia?

The intervals Q-oTc (the interval from the beginning of the QRS complex to the beginning of the T-wave) of <0.18 s and Q-aTc of <0.30 s (measured from the beginning of the QRS complex to the apex of the T-wave) are reliable indicators of clinical hypercalcemia.

What is Q wave myocardial infarction?

Q wave myocardial infarction refers to myocardial infarctions that in a Q wave forming on the 12-lead ECG once the infarction is completed.

What is a transmural Q wave infarction?

A transmural myocardial infarction refers to a myocardial infarction that involves the full thickness of the myocardium. It was one believed that the development of Q waves indicated the infarction was “transmural;” however, autopsy studies failed to confirm this.

How long does it take Q waves to develop?

Pathological Q waves Q waves may develop within one to two hours of the onset of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction, though often they take 12 hours and occasionally up to 24 hours to appear.

What is an inferior infarct?

Inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI) occurs from a coronary artery occlusion with resultant decreased perfusion to that region of the myocardium. Unless there is timely treatment, this results in myocardial ischemia followed by infarction.

What causes Anteroseptal infarction?

Anteroseptal myocardial infarctions are commonly caused by the rupture of an unstable atherosclerotic plaque in the left anterior descending artery. Delayed or missed diagnosis of an anteroseptal myocardial infarction can lead to high morbidity and mortality.

What does sinus tachycardia look like on ECG?

Sinus tachycardia is recognized on an ECG with a normal upright P wave in lead II preceding every QRS complex. This indicates that the pacemaker is coming from the sinus node and not elsewhere in the atria, with an atrial rate of greater than 100 beats per minute.

What is Nstemi diagnosis?

Diagnosing an NSTEMI NSTEMI is diagnosed through a blood test and an ECG. The blood test will show elevated levels of creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), troponin I, and troponin T. These markers are evidence of possible damage to the heart cells, and are typically mild compared with STEMI.

Which are the inferior leads on ECG?

The arrangement of the leads produces the following anatomical relationships: leads II, III, and aVF view the inferior surface of the heart; leads V1 to V4 view the anterior surface; leads I, aVL, V5, and V6 view the lateral surface; and leads V1 and aVR look through the right atrium directly into the cavity of the …

What is Wellens syndrome?

Wellens syndrome describes a pattern of electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, particularly deeply inverted or biphasic T waves in leads V2-V3, that is highly specific for critical, proximal stenosis of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. It is alternatively known as anterior, descending, T-wave syndrome.

What is normal ECG report?

The normal range of the ECG differed between men and women: heart rate 49 to 100 bpm vs. 55 to 108 bpm, P wave duration 81 to 130 ms vs. 84 to 130 ms, PR interval 119 to 210 ms vs. 120 to 202 ms, QRS duration 74 to 110 ms vs.

Should I worry about abnormal ECG?

Most of the time severe abnormalities that pop up without any other symptoms are a sign of improper lead placement or an incorrect ECG procedure. However, markedly abnormal ECGs with symptoms are considered a medical emergency that requires treatment or surgery.

Can anxiety cause abnormal EKG?

Premature ventricular contractions is one of the manifestations of sympathetic over activity due to anxiety. However, anxiety might induce electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in normal person with normal heart, as in this documented case.

Can anxiety cause inverted T waves?

(HealthDay)—Depression and anxiety are independently, yet oppositely, associated with electrocardiographic (ECG) T-wave inversions, according to a study published in the Dec. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.

Is inferior myocardial infarction serious?

Inferior myocardial infarctions have multiple potential complications and can be fatal. See the review on ST elevation myocardial infarction for more detail on complications of an inferior myocardial infarction and a detailed discussion on treatment.

How do you identify a pathological Q wave?

Q waves are considered pathological if: > 40 ms (1 mm) wide. > 2 mm deep. > 25% of depth of QRS complex.

What does possible inferior infarct age undetermined mean on an ECG?

If the finding on an ECG is “septal infarct, age undetermined,” it means that the patient possibly had a heart attack at an undetermined time in the past. A second test is typically taken to confirm the finding, because the results may instead be due to incorrect placement of electrodes on the chest during the exam.