Pathological Q wave as an indicator of left ventricular ejection fraction in acute myocardial infarction

Background: q-wave myocardial infarction (qmi) has higher mortality and lower myocardial viability than non-qwave myocardial infarction (nqmi), suggesting the existence of pathological q waves reflects the worse ventricular function. the aim of the study is to determine difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (lvef) between qmi and nqmi. methods: the study design was cross-sectional analysis conducted in patients with ami that were hospitalized and undergone echocardiography in abdul wahab sjahranie county general hospital samarinda during february 2014 to march 2015. standard 12-lead electrocardiograms (ecg) were recorded at presentation, 1 day and 2 days after the onset of ami as well as using the classical criteria for pathological q wave. lvef assessment was performed using echocardiography after the second day since the onset of ami. independent-t test was used to determine difference in lvef using psppire 0.8.4. results: there were 34 subjects comprising 16 qmi patients and 18 nqmi patients. qmi had a lower lvef (42±13%) compared to nqmi (60±11%, p<0.001). the presence of pathological q waves was associated with lvef ≤40% (p=0.002). conclusion: qmi had a lower lvef than nqmi, provides information about the role of pathological q wave as an indicator of lvef.