[Transient Q-waves in coronary disease]

The authors discuss the transient ischemic Q waves in various situations. Five cases are presented. Two patients had exercise-induced Q waves, one patient had right bundle branche block-dependent Q waves, one patient had transient Q waves after thrombolytic therapy and one patient had transient Q waves caused by Prinzmetal angina. Profound ischemia may not result in necrosis but may cause myocardial stunning. Myocardial stunning may be accompanied by deranged electrophysiologic activity with transient loss of electromotive forces.