ST-segment depression in left precordial leads in electrocardiogram of patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND: The early identification of patients with acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with high risk features is particularly important. Acute inferior STEMI may be associated with ST-segment depression in the left precordial leads (V4–V6). This study assessed prognostic value of ST-segment depression in these left precordial leads during the admission of patients with acute inferior STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 1,374 patients with acute inferior STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty between March 2011 and June 2014. The patients were divided into two groups: one group (n = 687) with left precordial ST-segment depression and the other (n = 687) without such ST-segment changes. RESULTS: The patients with left precordial ST-segment depression were older and had higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and higher levels of troponin. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with left precordial ST-segment depression. Advanced coronary artery disease was more observed in these patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with acute inferior STEMI treated with primary coronary intervention, left precordial ST-segment depression during admission of ECG is associated with more advanced coronary artery disease, and worse in-hospital clinical outcomes.