Which electrocardiographic finding is consistent with an anterior wall myocardial infarction?

Which electrocardiographic finding is consistent with an anterior wall myocardial infarction?

• A. ST elevation in V2 and V4 with Q waves and tombstone appearance
• B. ST elevation in II, III, aVF
• C. Tall T waves in V3
• D. ST depression in V5-V6

Answer: (D)

An anterior wall myocardial infarction shows injury evolving in the anterior chest leads. The hallmark is ST-segment elevation in the anterior precordial leads (V1–V4), often with tombstone-shaped ST elevations when the infarct is transmural, and Q waves may develop as necrosis progresses. Reciprocal changes can appear as ST depression in corresponding areas, but patterns like ST depression in lateral leads (V5–V6) are not typical for an anterior infarct. Tall T waves in a single lead are nonspecific and not definitive for an anterior wall infarction. So, the ECG finding that best fits anterior wall involvement is ST elevation in the anterior leads with possible tombstone morphology.

An anterior wall myocardial infarction shows injury evolving in the anterior chest leads. The hallmark is ST-segment elevation in the anterior precordial leads (V1–V4), often with tombstone-shaped ST elevations when the infarct is transmural, and Q waves may develop as necrosis progresses. Reciprocal changes can appear as ST depression in corresponding areas, but patterns like ST depression in lateral leads (V5–V6) are not typical for an anterior infarct. Tall T waves in a single lead are nonspecific and not definitive for an anterior wall infarction. So, the ECG finding that best fits anterior wall involvement is ST elevation in the anterior leads with possible tombstone morphology.