[non-Q wave myocardial infarction: study of 31 cases]

The frequency of non-Q wave myocardial infarction is permanently increasing. In this retrospective study, we have tried to establish the clinical features, the prognosis and the therapeutic possibilities in this entity. We have studied the clinical history, the physical examination data, the results of the different explorations and the short and long term general course in 31 patients with a non Q wave myocardial infarction. The main feature of this acute coronary syndrome is the preservation of the myocardial function (normal in 64% of the patients). Concerning the angiographic finding, we note a high prevalence of severe coronary damages particularly of the stenosis of the left main coronary artery (13.5%); but also an important proportion of normal coronary angiographies (20%). In addition to the known factors associated with a poor prognosis in coronary artery disease, we insist on the severity of the initial depression of the ST-segment. The prognosis of the non Q wave myocardial infarction is better at the initial phase than that of the "transmural infarction". However, it becomes similar or worse at the long term general course. The important progress in the prognosis markers and in the anti-thrombotic and interventional therapies may maintain at the long term course the good initial prognosis.