Right precordial lead (V4R) ST-segment elevation is associated with worse prognosis in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction

Significance of ST-Segment elevation in V4R lead in patients with anterior myocardial infarction

Background

There is some evidence of the association between ST‐segment elevation in the V4R chest lead and the likelihood of anterior wall myocardial infarction; however, the link of this phenomenon with the location and the severity of the coronary involvements in such patients remains uncertain. We aimed to investigate the ST‐segment elevation in V4R leads in patients with anterior myocardial infarction and also its effect on prognosis as well as the detection and prediction of the location of arterial stenosis in coronary angiography.

Methods

Data collection was performed by reviewing the hospital recorded files of 195 patients’ suspicion of acute myocardial infarction who have been referred within 2 h of the onset of cardiac symptoms. The patients were then categorized into two groups with and without ST elevation in the V4R chest lead.

Results

Comparing two groups showed a significantly higher rate of concurrent ST‐segment elevation in V₁ lead in those with ST‐segment elevation in V4R. Echocardiography on the day after anterior myocardial infarction showed LVEF <40% in 74% and 35.2% of patients with and without ST‐segment elevation in V4R, respectively, indicating a significant difference. The lesions on proximal LAD were more common in the group with ST‐segment elevation in V4R.

Conclusion

Our study emphasized a high likelihood of ST‐segment elevation in V4R lead concurrently with ST‐elevation in V₁ lead. Also, the appearance of ST‐segment elevation in V4R lead can be accompanied with a lower LVEF, myocardial infarct size, involvement of proximal part of LAD, and Wrap around LAD.

Acute chest pain with ST-segment elevation in lead V1-V3: when you hear hoofbeats, also look for zebras

ST-segment elevation (STE) in the anterior precordial leads is the hallmark of anterior myocardial infarction. In rare cases, this ECG pattern may be due to isolated infarction of the right ventricle since leads V1-V3 directly overlie the right ventricular free wall. Herein, we aimed to provide clues to recognize and understand this diagnostic pitfall through a series of 4 patients presenting with STE in the anterior leads.

The prognostic significance of early and late right precordial lead (V4 R) ST-segment elevation in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The predictive significance of ST-segment elevation (STE) in lead V₄ R in patients with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been well-understood. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of early and late STE in lead V₄ R in patients with anterior STEMI.

METHODS

A total 451 patients with anterior STEMI who treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) were prospectively enrolled in this study. All patients were classified according to presence of STE (>1 mm) in lead V₄ R at admission and/or 60 min after PPCI. Based on this classification, all patients were divided into three subgroups as no V₄ R STE (Group 1), early but not late V₄ R STE (Group 2) and late V₄ R STE (Group 3).

RESULTS

In-hospital mortality had higher rates at group 2 and 3 and that had 2.1 and 4.1-times higher mortality than group 1. Late V₄ R STE remained as an independent risk factor for cardiogenic shock (odds ratio [OR] 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-4.3; p < .001) and in-hospital mortality (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.8-4.1; p < .001). The 12-month overall survival for group 1, 2, and 3 were 91.1%, 82.4%, and 71.4% respectively. However, the long-term mortality also had the higher rate at group 3; late V₄ R STE did not remain as an independent risk factor for long-term mortality (OR 1.5; 95% CI 0.8-4.1; p: .159).

CONCLUSION

Late V₄ R STE in patients with anterior STEMI is strongly associated with poor prognosis. The record of late V₄ R in patients with anterior STEMI has an important prognostic value.

The association of right coronary artery conus branch size and course with ST segment elevation of right precordial leads and clinical outcome of acute anterior myocardial infarction

Introduction: Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and electrocardiogram (ECG) is a reliable diagnostic tool to determine a myocardial infarction. The present study tried to compare the relationship between the ECG findings and angiographic findings in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction. Methods: Seventy-four patients with acute anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction (Ant- STEMI) presenting to the emergency room in the first 12 hours after the onset of symptoms were studied. Upon admission, a full 14-lead ECG (including leads V3R and V4R) were performed. Angiographic and ECG findings, as well as clinical outcome were compared between two groups. The statistical tests including Chi-square and independent t-test were used for data analysis. Results: Small conus branch was seen in 52 (70.3%) and large conus in 22 ( 29.7%) patients. STE in right-sided leads and heart failure were significantly higher in small conus branch group versus large conus branch (88.6% vs 11.4%, P < 0.001 and 34.6% vs 9.1%, P = 0.02 respectively). There was no significant difference in mortality rate between the two groups (5.8% in small conous group vs 0% in large conus group, P = 0.55). There was a significant difference in major adverse cardiac events (MACE) between the two groups (51.9% in small conous group vs 18.2% in large conus group, P = 0.01). Conclusion: In patients with anterior MI, small conus branch was associated with higher rate of major adverse cardiac events mostly because of increased rate of acute heart failure.

ST-Segment Elevation in the Right Precordial Leads in Patients with Acute Anterior Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Elevation of ST segment in leads V3R/ V4R, which is commonly encountered in right ventricular myocardial infarction, may also occur in patients with anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the clinical impact of this finding in the setting of anterior myocardial infarction is not well understood.

AIMS

We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of ST segment elevation in leads V3R/V4R in patients with first acute anterior myocardial infarction.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Right precordial leads V3R/V4R were recorded in 111 patients admitted with first time anterior myocardial infarction. Patients were allocated into two groups based on the presence or absence of ST elevation in leads V3R/V4R. Demographic, biochemical and echocardiographic data, as well as the angiographic information, were recorded. In-hospital and 3 month mortality, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE), death, heart failure and ventricular dysrhythmia were also compared.

RESULTS

ST elevation in lead V3R or V4R was present in 72 out of 111 patients (64.9%). Involvement of the proximal part of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery was not different in the two groups (44.4% of patients with elevation vs. 53.8% of patients without elevation, p=0.22). Post-myocardial infarction complications, mortality and major adverse cardiac events were similar in the two groups. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly lower in patients with ST elevation in V3R/V4R (35 %±8 vs. 38 %±8, p=0.02). Twenty three out of 111 patients (20.7%) developed heart failure, which was similar in the two groups [16 (22.2%) of patients with ST elevation vs. 7 (17.9%) of patients without ST elevation, p=0.39].

CONCLUSION

Although ST elevation in V3R/V4R can be present in patients with left anterior descending artery occlusion, it does not seem to predict the prognosis. Lower left ventricular ejection fraction in this group may play a role in the long-term prognosis; however, this issue needs further investigation.

ST-segment elevation of right precordial lead (V4 R) is associated with multivessel disease and increased in-hospital mortality in acute anterior myocardial infarction patients

BACKGROUND

ST segment elevation of chest lead V4 R is associated with worse prognosis in acute inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study tried to determine the relationship between ST elevation in the right precordial lead V4 R and acute anterior STEMI.

METHODS

Prospective study of 144 consecutive anterior STEMI patients: all had 15-lead ECG recordings (12 conventional leads and V3 R-V5 R) obtained. Patients were classified into two groups on the basis of presence (Group I, 50 patients) or absence (Group II, 94 patients) of ST-segment elevation ≥0.5 mm in lead V4 R.

RESULTS

Multivessel involvement was significantly higher in Group I compared with Group II (54% and 23% respectively, P < 0.001). Major adverse cardiac events and in-hospital mortality was also significantly higher for those in Group I (P < 0.02 for both). A significant correlation was found between in-hospital mortality and those in Group I (P = 0.03, OR: 6.27, CI: 1.22-32.3). There was an independent relationship between in-hospital mortality and V4 R-ST elevation (P = 0.03, OR: 11.64, CI: 1.3-27.4).

CONCLUSION

ST segment elevation in chest lead V4 R is associated with multivessel disease and increased in-hospital mortality in patients with anterior STEMI that had undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention to the left anterior descending artery.

Long-term outcome of 'super-responder' patients to cardiac resynchronization therapy

AIMS

To evaluate the long-term changes of clinical and echocardiographic parameters, the incidence of cardiac events and parameters associated with late cardiac events in 'super-responders' to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with [CRT defibrillator (CRT-D)] or without defibrillator back-up.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In all consecutive patients treated with CRT in two Italian centres (Trieste and Udine) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤0.35 at implantation (Timp) and LVEF > 0.50 1 and/or 2 years (Tnorm) after implantation, the long-term outcome and the evolution of echocardiographic parameters were assessed; factors associated with a higher risk of cardiac events, defined as hospitalization or death for heart failure (HF), sudden death, or CRT-D appropriate interventions, were also analysed. Among the 259 patients evaluated, 62 (24%) had LVEF ≥ 0.50 at Tnorm (n = 44 with at 1 year, n = 18 at 2 years). During a mean follow-up of 68 ± 30 months, one cardiac death (for HF) and eight cardiovascular events (two hospitalization for HF and six appropriate CRT-D interventions) occurred. At the last echo evaluation (Tfup) performed 51 ± 26 months after Timp, LVEF was <0.50 in five patients (>0.45 in four of them). At univariable analysis, only LV end-systolic volume evaluated at Tfup was associated with a higher risk of cardiac events during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

In 'super-responders' to CRT long-term outcome is excellent. However, cardiac events, mainly CRT-D appropriate interventions, can occur despite the persistence of LVEF > 0.50. Early identification of these patients is still an unsolved issue.