Post MI Q waves

Q: Regression of Q waves after acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a good sign.

A) True

B) False

Answer: A

Pathologic Q waves after MI may regress or disappear entirely following the event, particularly with intervention. Persistence of Q waves after reperfusion is a 'bad sign'. It is associated with a fourfold increase in the risk of congestive heart failure (CHF) or death compared to patients who have regression or resolution of Q-waves. 

Q-wave regression is associated with significantly lower risk of major adverse cardiac events in the future.

#cardiology

#EKG

References:

1. de Framond Y, Schaaf M, Pichot-Lamoureux S, et al. Regression of Q waves and clinical outcomes following primary PCI in anterior STEMI. J Electrocardiol 2022; 73:131.

2. Ramos R, Albert X, Sala J, et al. Prevalence and incidence of Q-wave unrecognized myocardial infarction in general population: Diagnostic value of the electrocardiogram. The REGICOR study. Int J Cardiol 2016; 225:300.

3. Mirvis DM, Goldberger AL. Electrocardiography. In: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 12th ed, Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, et al (Eds), Elsevier, 2022.