Background-ST-segment elevation in lead aVR has been associated with severe coronary artery lesions in patients with acute coronary syndromes, but the prognostic significance of this finding is unknown. Methods and Results-We analyzed the initial ECG in 775 consecutive patients admitted to our center with a first acute myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation in leads other than aVR or V 1 . The rates of in-hospital death in patients without (nϭ525) and with 0.05 to 0.1 mV (nϭ116) or Ն0.1 mV (nϭ134) of ST-segment elevation in lead aVR were 1.3%, 8.6%, and 19.4%, respectively (PϽ0.001). After adjustment for the baseline clinical predictors and for ST-segment depression on admission, the odds ratios for death in the last 2 groups were, respectively, 4.2 (95% CI, 1.5 to 12.2) and 6.6 (95% CI, 2.5 to 17.6). The rates of recurrent ischemic events and heart failure during hospital stay also increased in a stepwise fashion among the groups, whereas creatine kinase-MB levels were similar. Among the 437 patients that were catheterized within 6 months, the prevalence of left main or 3-vessel coronary artery disease in the 3 groups was 22.0%, 42.6%, and 66.3%, respectively (PϽ0.001). Conclusions-Lead aVR contains important short-term prognostic information in patients with a first non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction. Because the poorer outcome predicted by ST-segment elevation in lead aVR seems to be related to a more severe coronary artery disease, an early invasive approach might be especially beneficial in patients presenting with this finding.

In patients with a first non-ST segment elevation acute MI, ST segment depression in the lateral leads on hospital admission predicts a poor in-hospital outcome.

This case report describes a patient with an automatic ICD who suffered a defibrillation shock without warning symptoms. An electrical interference can be observed in the stored EGM of the episode. The patient explained that the moment he felt the shock he was touching a washing machine. After correct grounding of this machine the patient did not suffer more inappropriate shocks.

A depressor hemodynamic response subserved by pericoronary nerves worsens the LV dysfunction induced by brief coronary catheter balloon inflation in anesthetized pigs. Cholinergic fibers do not appear to play a major role.

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