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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Non-Q wave MI
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Non-Q wave MI
by Dona__0__0, Jan 05, 1999 12:00AM
I am an RN that has worked with cardiology for 8 years. I recently had a MD tell me there was a difference between a nontransmural MI and a nonQwave MI. I thought they were the same and that a diagnoses was made with a positive CKMB when the ECG findings are nonspecfic for an acute MI.
Is there a difference and if so what are the ECG criteria for each? Thanks,
Donna
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Dear Donna,
Thank you for your question. There is a difference between non-Q wave and non-transmural ischemia. Q-waves are a pattern of injury after the fact and usually indicate completed infarction and scarring of that portion of the ventricle. Non-transmural ischemia is seen as ST depression on the ECG.
In the new era of thrombolytics and cath reprofusion probably better terms are ST elevation and non-ST elevation MI (the "old" non-Q wave MI). You are correct that the diagnosis of MI is assured with a rise in the MB fraction of CK greater than 12 regardless of the ECG findings.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
