ST-segment depression in lead aVR predicts predischarge left ventricular dysfunction in patients with reperfused anterior acute myocardial infarction with anterolateral ST-segment elevation.

Background: Patients with an anterolateral acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have a worse prognosis, and those with additional inferolateral wall involvement might be higher risk because of more extensive area at risk. Lead -aVR obtained by inversion of images in lead aVR has been reported to provide useful information for inferolateral lesion.

Methods: We examined the relation between ST-segment deviation in lead aVR on admission electrocardiogram (ECG) and left ventricular function in 105 patients with an anterolateral AMI undergoing successful reperfusion < or = 6 hours after onset. Patients were classified according to ST-segment deviation in lead aVR on admission ECG: group A, 23 patients with ST elevation of > or = 0.5 mm; group B, 47 patients without ST deviation; and group C, 35 patients with ST depression of > or = 0.5 mm.

Results: There were no differences among the 3 groups in age, sex, or site of the culprit lesion. In groups A, B, and C, the peak creatine kinase level was 3661 +/- 1428, 4440 +/- 1889, and 6959 +/- 2712 mU/mL, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by predischarge left ventriculography was 54% +/- 9%, 48% +/- 7%, and 37% +/- 9%, respectively(P < .01). During hospitalization, congestive heart failure occurred more frequently in group C than in groups A or B (P < .05). ST-segment depression in lead aVR had a higher predictive accuracy than other ECG findings in identifying patients with predischarge LVEF < or = 35%.

Conclusions: We conclude that in patients with an anterolateral AMI, ST-segment depression in lead aVR on admission ECG is useful for predicting larger infarct and left ventricular dysfunction despite successful reperfusion.