title: Significance of premature contractions of WPW type in the acute phase of myocardial infarction.
abstract: Observations in 220 patients with myocardial infarction of an intensive care unit are reported. The distinctive features of premature ventricular contractions of WPW type are described. Production of premature contractions of this type in the acute stage of myocardial infarction is regarded as a premonitory sign of rhythm disorders of considerable significance. The electrophysiological and electropathological background of rhythm disorders is analyzed in close detail, particular consideration is being given to the implications of premature contractions of WPW type. Increasing electric inhomogeneity in the acute phase of myocardial infarction is illustrated by intracavitary electrocardiograms. A relationship has been found between the protracted repolarization of the hypoxic ventricular areas and the appearance of T-U complexes. Two distinct groups of premature ventricular contractions of WPW type with reference to the conductive system are described. The origin of the delta waves in the WPW syndrome is discussed.
mesh_terms: D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications*; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000150:complications*