The Electrocardiogram Predicts One-Year Outcome of Patients With Unstable Angin and Non–Q Wave Myocardial Infarction: Results of the TIMI III Registry ECG Ancillary Study

Objectives. We sought to determine the prognostic value of the admission electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients with unstable angin and non–Q wave myocardial infarction (MI). Background. Although the ECG is the most widely used test for evaluating patients with unstable angin and non–Q wave MI, little prospective information is available on its value in predicting outcome in the current er of aggressive medical and interventional therapy. Methods. ECGs with the qualifying episode of pain were analyzed in patients enrolled in the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Ischemi (TIMI) III Registry, prospective study of patients admitted to the hospital with unstable angin or non–Q wave MI. Results. New ST segment deviation ≥1 mm was present in 14.3% of 1,416 enrolled patients, isolated T wave inversion in 21.9% and left bundle branch block (LBBB) in 9.0%. By 1-year follow-up, death or MI occurred in 11% of patients with ≥1 mm ST segment deviation compared with 6.8% of patients with new, isolated T wave inversion and 8.2% of those with no ECG changes (p < 0.001 when comparing ST with no ST segment deviation). Two other high risk groups were identified: those with only 0.5-mm ST segment deviation and those with LBBB, whose rates of death or MI by 1 year were 16.3% and 22.9%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, ST segment deviation of either ≥1 mm or ≥0.5 mm remained independent predictors of death or MI by 1 year. Conclusions. The admission ECG is very useful in risk stratifying patients with non–Q wave MI. The new criteri of not only ≥1-mm ST segment deviation but also ≥0.5-mm ST segment deviation or LBBB identify high risk patients, whereas T wave inversion does not add to the clinical history in predicting outcome.