Correlation Between The Number of Pathological Q waves and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Among Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Pathological Q waves in an electrocardiogram (ECG) are robust prognostic markers in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a leading global cause of death. Accurately identifying high-risk patients with STEMI is essential to provide tailored management, thereby improving patient outcomes. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between the number of leads with pathological Q wave in the first ECG and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) before discharge. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the records of 152 STEMI patients meeting inclusion criteria at Taleghani Hospital from April 2014 to August 2018. The initial ECGs, angiography, and echocardiography data were extracted, read by cardiologists, and prepared for analysis. Results: The majority of patients (87.5%) were males, and 69.7% had a pathological Q wave at the first ECG. The median of LVEF was significantly lower in patients with a pathological Q wave than in patients without a pathological Q wave (45 versus 50, p-value 0.001). In addition, there was a mild negative correlation between the number of pathological Q waves and LVEF (r = -0.318, p-value 0.001). Conclusions: This study reveals the presence of a mild negative linear relationship between LVEF and the number of pathological Q waves in STEMI patients.