Key Points
- To describe the clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, and electrocardiographic findings of atrial infarction occurring alongside ventricular myocardial infarction.
- Evaluated clinical courses, serial electrocardiograms, and post-mortem autopsy findings in N=6 patients with atrial infarction concurrent with ventricular infarction.
- Analyzed specific electrocardiographic shifts, focusing on P-Ta segment displacements and P wave morphological changes in the presence of atrial arrhythmias.
- All six cases were identified clinically during life and verified post-mortem by autopsy.
- Major diagnostic electrocardiographic criteria included P-Ta segment elevation >0.5 mm in V5–V6 (with reciprocal depression in V1–V2), elevation >0.5 mm in lead I (with depression in leads II/III), or P-Ta depression >1.5 mm in precordial leads and >1.2 mm in limb leads during atrial arrhythmias.
- Minor criteria included M-shaped, W-shaped, notched, or irregular P waves, with management focused on atrial arrhythmia suppression and prevention of mural thrombi.
Structured PICO
PPopulation6 cases of atrial infarction associated with ventricular infarction, diagnosed during life and confirmed by autopsy.
OOutcomeElectrocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of atrial infarctionsurrogate
Atrial infarction should be suspected in patients with ventricular infarction and atrial arrhythmias, and can be diagnosed using specific P-Ta segment deviations on electrocardiogram.