Comparison based on age of baseline electrocardiographic abnormalities in non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. VANQWISH Trial Research Investigators. Veterans Affairs Non-Q-Wave Infarction Strategies In-Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the incidence of electrocardiographic abnormalities between older (age > or = 70 years) and younger patients presenting with acute non-Q-wave myocardial infarction.


METHODS
Retrospective review of qualifying electrocardiograms in 918 patients enrolled in the multicenter Veterans Affairs Non-Q-Wave Infarction Strategies In-Hospital (VANQWISH) study.


METHODS
Seventeen Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers.


METHODS
A total of 918 patients (224 > or = 70 years old) with acute non-Q-wave myocardial infarction.


METHODS
Comparison of electrocardiograms in patients aged > or = 70 years and younger patients for presence of left ventriculary hypertrophy, widened QRS complex, ST and T wave abnormalities, rhythm other than sinus, heart rate > or = 80 beats/minute, and location of acute non-Q-wave myocardial infarction.


RESULTS
Left ventricular hypertrophy and ST depression > or = 1 mm were significantly more frequent in older than in younger patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Older patients presenting with non-Q-wave myocardial infarction have a greater incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy and ST depression on their electrocardiograms than younger patients. Both of these electrocardiographic findings have previously been associated with increased risk of death and recurrent myocardial infarction and may help account for the worse prognosis of non-Q-wave myocardial infarction in older patients.
St. Louis Veterans Administration Medical Center, St. Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri 63106, USA.
H G
HG
Stratmann
R E
RE
Kleiger
D R
DR
Ferry
R G
RG
Zoble
B K
BK
Chow
P W
PW
Lavori
W E
WE
Boden
D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs