title: QRS complex distortion predicts no reflow after emergency angioplasty in patients with anterior wall acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In patients with acute myocardial infarction, distortion of the terminal portion of the QRS complex on the electrocardiogram (ECG) at the time of their admission to hospital is associated with larger final infarct size and greater mortality. This study assessed the results of emergency coronary angioplasty in patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction with and without distortion of the terminal portion of the QRS complex on the admission ECG.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) trial flow grade, resolution of ischemic ECG changes, and clinical outcome after emergency angioplasty for acute anterior wall myocardial infarction in patients with (n = 21) and without (n = 21) distortion of the terminal portion of the QRS complex on the admission ECG.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with patients without distortion of the terminal portion of the QRS complex on the admission ECG, those with distortion had a significantly lower incidence of TIMI flow grade 3 (52% compared with 84%, P < 0.05), lower rate of resolution of the ischemic ECG changes (33% compared with 84%, P < 0.005), and greater rate of mortality during their stay in hospital despite successful balloon angioplasty (19% compared with 0%, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with anterior wall acute myocardial infarction, distortion of the terminal portion of the QRS complex on the admission ECG predicts a greater mortality rate and a greater incidence of reflow impairment after emergency angioplasty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mager
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sclarovsky
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Herz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zlotikamien
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Strasberg
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Birnbaum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion