The Prognostic Evaluation of Q-Wave and Non Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction

To examine the in-hospital and long-term prognosis of Q wave (Q) and non-Q (Non-Q) myocardial infarction (MI), we evaluated retrospectively 171 patients admitted to the coronary care unit with the first myocardial infarction. The patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of a new pathologic Q wave in the related electrocardiographic leads. 103 patients (pts) in the Q-wave group and 68 pts in the Non-QMI group were evaluated at the end of 36 months. In-hospital period: congestive heart failure and pericarditis were not significantly different in two groups. Ventricular tachycardia and/or ventricular fibrillation was detected in 13 (12.6 %) pts in QMI and 1 (1.5 %) pt in Non-QMI groups (p<0.05). Different kinds of conduction disturbances were seen in 18 (17.5 %) pts in QMI and 4 (5.9 %) pts in NonQMI groups (p<0.05). Early post-MI angina as de tected in 11 (10.7 %) pts in QMI and 17 (25 %) pts in Non-QMI groups (p<0.05). In-hospital mortality was not significantly different in two groups. At the end of the 36 months: Iate post-MI angina was observed in 32 (31 %) pts in QMI and 41 (60 %) pts in Non-QMI groups (p<0.001). Four (3.9 %) pts in QMI and 6 (8.8 %) pts in Non-QMI group underwent bypas surgery (p:ns). Reinfarction and mortality rates were not significantly different in two groups. Thus heart failure and pericarditis (soon after MI), reinfarction, in-hospital and long-term mortality were not significantly different in two groups. Ventricular arrhythmias and the conduction disturbances in the hospital period were higher in QMI group, whereas early and Iate post-MI angina pectoris was higher in Non-QMI group.