II. Interpretation
- Significant Q Waves (in at least 2 contiguous leads)
- One box (0.04 sec) wide or more AND
- One third height of R Wave (Unless isolated in Lead III)
III. Causes: Q-Wave MI
- See Electrocardiogram in Myocardial Infarction
- Q Waves in Leads I and aVL
- Lateral Myocardial Infarction
- Q Waves in Leads II, III and avF
- Inferior Myocardial Infarction
- Q Waves in Leads V1-V3
- Anterior-Septal Myocardial Infarction
- Q Waves in Leads V2-4
- Anterior Myocardial Infarction
- Q Waves in Leads V4-6
- Anterior-Lateral Myocardial Infarction
IV. Causes: Non-Infarction Causes
-
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Dagger-like (sharp, narrow <0.04 sec) prominent Q Waves in lateral leads (I, aVL, V4-6)
-
Pulmonary Embolism
- Q Waves in Lead III and possibly avF with right sided strain
- Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
- Right Ventricular Hypertrophy
- Left Bundle Branch Block
- Left Anterior Fascicular Block
- Chronic Lung Disease
- Cardiomyopathy (e.g. infiltrative Cardiomyopathy, Myocarditis)
- Congenital disorder (e.g. corrected Great Vessel Transposition, Muscular Dystrophy)
- Myocardial Contusion
- Hyperkalemia
V. References
- O'Keefe (2010) ECG Criteria Book, Jones and Bartlett, p. 43-44