Value of lead aVR in predicting acute occlusion of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery and in-hospital outcome in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: an electrocardiographic predictor of poor prognosis

Background: We aimed to investigate the value of ST elevation in lead aVR (ST up arrow aVR) in predicting the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion site proximal to first septal perforator (SI) and its effect on in-hospital outcome in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: The study included 950 patients with STEMI. Patients were divided into 2 groups as aVR (+) and aVR(-)according to the presence of an ST up arrow aVR of 0.5 mm or greater. Results: ST elevation in lead aVR was seen in 155 (16%) patients, and LAD occlusion proximal to S, was detected in 52% of patients in the aVR(+) group and in 9% of patients in the aVR(-) group. aVR positivity was associated with higher heart rate, lower systolic blood pressure and ejection fraction, and worse Killip class at the hospital admission. In-hospital mortality was 19% in the aVR(+) group and 5% in the aVR(-) group. aVR positivity was an independent predictor of in-hospital death. Conclusion: This study revealed that ST up arrow aVR was not only a good indicator of LAD occlusion proximal to S, but also a source of valuable information about in-hospital outcome in patients with STEMI. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.