Vectorcardiographic diagnosis of inferior myocardial infarction in the presence of rS complex in the orthogonal lead Y

Left anterior fascicular block and masking of inferior wall infarction

A case of inferior wall myocardial infarction that was obscured by left anterior hemiblock is presented. This report illustrates that changes in the sequence of electrical activation of the left ventricle resulting from this conduction disturbance may lead to a missed electrocardiographic diagnosis.

Isolated and complicated left anterior fascicular block: a review of suggested electrocardiographic criteria

The electrocardiographic criteria for isolated left anterior fascicular block are reviewed and illustrated. Left anterior fascicular block decreases the voltage in the chest leads and increases the voltage in the limb leads. The usual voltage criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy must be modified appropriately. Changes in repolarization include a decrease in the T wave of leads I and AVL and an increase in leads II, III, AVF, V5 and V6. Small Q waves in V2 may simulate an anteroseptal myocardial infarction. Three criteria for the possible diagnosis of superimposed inferior myocardial infarction have been suggested. Both inferior and anterior myocardial infarctions may be masked by R waves replacing Q waves. In the presence of a recent anterior infarction, right bundle branch block may also be masked. Thus, left anterior fascicular block may mask or mimic infarction and left ventricular hypertrophy and mask right bundle branch block in the setting of an acute anterior myocardial infarction.