Usefulness of the 12-lead electrocardiogram in detection of myocardial infarction: electrocardiographic-anatomic correlations--Part II.

Part II of this two-part series on electrocardiographic-necropsy correlation of infarct location focuses on lateral and posterior ("inferior") infarctions. The value of infarct location regarding complications and prognosis is also discussed.

Usefulness of the 12-lead electrocardiogram in detection of myocardial infarction: electrocardiographic-anatomic correlations--part I.

This two-part review evaluates a 56-year period (1938-1994) of electrocardiographic-necropsy correlation studies. Part I focuses on definitions of infarct location and evaluates anterior infarctions. Part II will focus on lateral and posterior infarcts.

Anatomy, histology, and pathology of the cardiac conduction system--Part VI.

Various pathologic conditions producing atrioventricular block are reviewed. Calcific atrioventricular block (aortic stenosis, mitral valve annular calcium), active infective endocarditis ("ring" abscess), acute and healed myocarditis, various collagen-vascular diseases, amyloidosis, and tumors are reviewed as causes of atrioventricular block. Various diseases producing bundle-branch block are also discussed.

Anatomy, histology, and pathology of the cardiac conduction system--Part V.

Although morphologic findings in many of the cardiac arrhythmias of acute and chronic disease have been elusive, the correlates of heart block (particularly atrioventricular block) are abundant. Pathologic features of sinoatrial, atrioventricular, and bundle-branch block are reviewed. Lev and Lenegre diseases (idiopathic bilateral bundle-branch fibrosis) are also reviewed.

Anatomy, histology, and pathology of the cardiac conduction system--Part IV.

Metastatic tumor involvement of the heart as a basis for the genesis of various cardiac arrhythmias is reviewed. The morphologic basis of pre-excitation syndromes and right ventricular dysplasia are also reviewed.

Anatomy, histology, and pathology of the cardiac conduction system--Part III.

The cardiac conduction system may be affected by various pathologic changes. Some of these changes are general and affect the nonconduction system tissues of the heart (atrophy, fibrosis, necrosis, segment deposition, mineral) and others are more localized to the conduction system (Lev and Lenegre disease). Pathologic conditions associated with atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias are reviewed.

Anatomy, histology, and pathology of the cardiac conduction system: Part II.

Normal anatomic and histologic features of the atrioventricular junction (transitional cell zone, atrioventricular node, penetrating portion of bundle) and the bifurcation of the penetrating portion into bundle branches are reviewed. Terminal ventricular Purkinje fibers are also discussed.

Anatomy, histology, and pathology of the cardiac conduction system: Part I.

Normal anatomic and histologic features of the sinus node, atrial myocardium, and interatrial conduction of the cardiac impulse are reviewed. The controversy surrounding atrial conduction via specialized atrial cells versus specific internodal tracts (between sinus and atrioventricular nodes) is discussed.

Modified magnet test for a reversed automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

We present the case of a 55-year-old man with atrial septal defect and cardiomyopathy who underwent implantation of an automatic cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) for ventricular tachycardia resulting in collapse. This case demonstrates multiple unusual complications related to AICD, including rotation of the pulse generator unit about its long axis requiring a "left-handed" magnet test to determine the appropriate counts.