The role of the electrocardiogram in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction.
The electrocardiogram is often the key to the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. In order to use it effectively, the clinician must be aware of its limitations. Most importantly, it must be remembered that a single normal electrocardiogram does not exclude myocardial infarction. In addition, certain clinical entities mimic infarction electrocardiographically and others mask electrocardiographic evidence of infarction. These factors must be considered when the electrocardiogram is interpreted in order to provide the clinician with the best possible information about the patient.
D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000175:diagnosis; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000175:diagnosis; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis; D012306:Risk; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis