Changes of Abnormal Q Wave Progression after Reperfusion in Patients with Anterior Acute Myocardiac Infarction

ABSTRACT

Abnormal Q wave which suggest myocardial necrosis frequently develope after successful reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction(AMI). To investigate patterns of abnormal Q wave development and the significance of the rapid progression of Q wave after reperfusion therapy, sixty patients with first attack of anterior AMI were studied. All patients showed complete occlusion of proximal or mid left anterior desending artery and received intracoronary thrombolysis therapy(ICT) with urokinase. ICT was completed within 6 hours of chest pain. Fourty for patients were reperfused. There were significant correlation between the number of leads with Q waves before ICT(PRE-nQ) and after ICT(POST-nQ) both in patients with reperfused and failed reperfusion(r=0.68, 0.96). Three patterns of abnormal Q wave progression were identified by the first correlationship of PRE-nQ and POST-Nq. Abnormal Q waves were rapidly progressed in 14 patients(Group I 31.8%), regressed in 10 patients(Group II 22.7%) and natureally progressed in 20 patients(45.5%). Patients in Group I had greater creatine kinease release(6133+/-2536mIU) and higher QRS score(immidiate ICT 7.9+/-3.0, 7th day 8.7+/-3.0) than those of patients in Group II(2135+/-1701mIU, 3.6+/-3.0, 4.6+/-3.3, respectively, P<0.01, all). A significant decreased wall motion of infarcted area was observed in Group I patients(% area change, area 26.1+/-14.0%) compared with Group II patients(46.5+/-10.7%, P<0.05). The followings can be concluded Three patterns of abnormal Q wave progression were noted after reperfusion therapy in patients with anterior AMI. Rapid progression of abnormal Q wave may indicate accelerated ischemic injury or reperfusion injury rather than salvaging myocardium.