Identification of first acute Q wave and non-Q wave myocardial infarction by multivariate analysis of body surface potential maps.

Abstract

Diagnosis of acute NQMI and QMI (also in the presence of LVH) can be improved substantially by appropriate selection of ECG leads and features. Comparison of discriminant maps from groups A, B, and C does not support the concept of acute NQMI as a distinct ECG entity but rather as a group with infarcts of smaller size. However, pathophysiological and clinical differences between acute NQMI and acute QMI influence long-term risks and may define different therapeutic approaches.