Use of the initial electrocardiogram to predict in-hospital complications of suspected myocardial infarction

ABSTRACT

This study included 200 patients classified into positive and negative ECG groups according to the initial ECG. Initial ECG was classified as positive in presence of one or more of the following Evidence of infarction, ischemia, left ventricular hypertrophy and strain or left bundle branch block. Patients with positive ECG [68%] and those with negative EGG [32%] were similar with respect to CAD risk factors and sex, however, age was higher and previous history of infarction or angina was more prevalent in positive ECG group. The risk of AMI was 7.8 times more likely in positive ECG group than those with negative ECG group [73.5% vs 9.4%]. Life threatening complications [ventricular fibrillation and tachycardia, cardiogenic shock, and complete A-V block] and mortality risk rates were 19.1% and 14.7%, respectively, in positive ECG group, while negative ECG group showed no complications and mortality was zero. There was no significant association between CAD risk factors, on one hand, and the presence or type of complications, on the other hand