[ST segment alternams in myocardial infarct: apropos of a case]

Alternans of the ST segment is frequent in Prinzmetal's angina and is referred to a dyshomogeneity of myocardial refractoriness during ischemia. Reports of this phenomenon in myocardial infarction are, on the contrary, extremely rare. A case of alternans of the ST segment in a man with myocardial infarction is described. Based on the previous experimental reports, the hypothesis is advanced that delayed and blocked electrical activity of the ischemic area may be responsible for the event observed. This phenomenon is probably not infrequent in myocardial infarction.