Precordial ST-segment mapping. 4. Experience with mapping of ST-segment depression in anterior transmural myocardial infarction.

In order to assess the relative significance of precordial ST-segment elevations and depressions, 32 patients with anterior transmural myocardial infarction were studied utilizing serial 49-lead precordial maps. Theoretically, zones of ST-segment depression adjacent to major zones of ST-segment elevation might represent border areas of mild ischemia, and hence could be more readily amenable to intervention therapy. As expected, an extensive zone of ST-segment elevation was observed precordially in each of these patients. However, zones of ST-segment depression in adjacent areas were noted to occur inconsistently, were limited in distribution and magnitude, and bore no fixed relationship to zones of ST-segment elevation. Thus, mapping of precordial ST-segment depression in anterior transmural infarction probably has a limited role in assessing evolution of ischemic injury or therapy in these patients. This finding does not, however, vitiate the significance of ST-segment depressions in angina, intermediate coronary syndrome, or non-transmural infarction, conditions which may deserve further study using mapping techniques.