title: [Electrocardiographic prediction of the site of lesion in the anterior descending artery in acute myocardial infarction].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to analyze the value of electrocardiography in predicting the site of the lesion in the left anterior descending coronary artery, in relation to the first septal and the first diagonal branches, in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety consecutive patients who were admitted to the coronary unit with acute anterior myocardial infarction from July 1998 to May 2000 were studied retrospectively. The electrocardiographic changes were analyzed and correlated with the site of the lesion in the anterior descending artery, as determined by coronary angiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most useful parameters in predicting the site of the lesion in the left anterior descending coronary artery in acute anterior myocardial infarction are: 1) For lesions proximal to the first septal branch, ST-segment elevation in aVR (p < 0.001) and the absence of Q wave in V4-V6 (p = 0.01). 2) For lesions proximal to the first diagonal branch, abnormal Q wave in aVL (p = 0.01) and ST depression in III (p = 0.05). 3) For lesions proximal to both the first septal and first diagonal branches, ST elevation in aVR (p < 0.001), abnormal Q wave in aVL (p = 0.02), and absence of Q wave in V4-V6 (p = 0.01). 4) For lesions distal to both the first septal and first diagonal branches, abnormal Q wave in V4-V6 (p = 0.001) and absence of ST depression in III (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In acute anterior myocardial infarction, electrocardiography is useful for predicting the site of the lesion in the left anterior descending coronary artery in relation to the first septal and the first diagonal branches.
authors.affiliation: Unidad Coronaria. Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla. Santander. España. ucopsj@humv.es
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Prieto Solís
authors.forename: Camilo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: González Fernández
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hernández Hernández
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: de la Torre Hernández
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Llorca Díaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology