[A case of silent posterior myocardial ischemia/left circumflex artery obstruction detected by prominent U-wave in right precordial leads]

Kokyu To Junkan. 1990 Dec;38(12):1259-63.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 64-year-old woman with a history of hypertension for ten years and of syncope 18 month previously visited our Division of Cardiology on 12 June, 1989. The S4 and mitral regurgitation were audible at the apex, and her electrocardiogram showed ST-depression in leads II, aVF, V5-6 and prominent U-wave (PU) in V1-3 when first seen. Then, she was thought to have a posterior myocardial ischemia. PU in V1-3 diminished whereas T-wave increased after nitrate and Ca++ blocker. Ergometer exercise ECG showed ST-depression in II, III, aVF, V4-6 and PU with decreased T-wave in V2-3 with no apparent symptoms. Simultaneously, Tl-201 myocardial imaging demonstrated a transient posterior defect. A silent posterior myocardial ischemia was, therefore, confirmed. Coronary arteriograms demonstrated subtotal obstruction of the proximal left circumflex artery, and the peripheral site was filled by collaterals from the right coronary artery. Angina-induced PU in the right precordial leads proved to be useful in detection of posterior myocardial ischemia, and this marker may also improve the possibility of detection of silent posterior ischemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Disease / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Disease / pathology
  • Coronary Vessels / pathology
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged