The predictive value of aVR in determining the infarct related artery during primary percutaneous coronary

Ayman Gaballa1, Wala Farid2, Ahmad Al-Kersh2

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Sabah Al-Ahmad Cardiac Center, Al-Amiri Hospital, Kuwait.

Insights

ST depression in lead aVR of 1 mm or more indicates the left circumflex artery as the culprit in inferior myocardial infarction, predicting a worse prognosis and larger infarct size.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Diagnostics
  • Interventional Cardiology

Background:

  • Timely identification of the infarct-related artery is crucial for primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
  • Risk stratification in acute myocardial infarction aids in patient management and prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the predictive value of ST-T changes in lead aVR for identifying the culprit artery in inferior myocardial infarction.
  • To assess the prognostic significance of ST depression in lead aVR for risk stratification.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective analysis of 100 acute inferior wall myocardial infarction patients.
  • Categorization into two groups based on culprit artery: Right Coronary Artery (RCA) vs. Left Circumflex Coronary Artery (LCX).
  • Comparison of ECG changes, cardiac enzymes, echocardiography, angiography, and complications between groups, with a focus on ST depression (≥1 mm) in lead aVR.

Main Results:

  • ST depression ≥1 mm in lead aVR predicted LCX culprit artery with 66% sensitivity and 84% specificity.
  • Patients with ST depression in aVR had significantly higher cardiac enzyme levels (indicating larger infarct size) and lower ejection fraction.
  • Increased mitral regurgitation was observed in patients with ST depression in aVR, but no significant difference in in-hospital complications.

Conclusions:

  • ST depression >1 mm in lead aVR is a significant predictor of LCX involvement in inferior myocardial infarction.
  • This ECG finding serves as a valuable tool for early risk stratification and predicting poorer outcomes.
Abstract

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