Abstract

ORTEGA CARNICER, J.. Acute inferior myocardial infarction masking the J wave syndrome: Based on four observations. Med. Intensiva [online]. 2008, vol.32, n.1, pp.48-53. ISSN 0210-5691.

The J wave syndrome is characterized by a prominent J wave accompanied by ST-segment elevation in the absence of structural heart disease. It includes the benign early repolarization syndrome, the highly arrhythmogenic Brugada syndrome and idiopathic ventricular fibrillation. Although acute coronary syndromes are one of the leading causes of ST-segment deviation, no clinical reports that specifically describe the modulating effects of an ischemic injury current on the ECG manifestations of the J wave syndrome have been found. This report describes four cases of patients with acute inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who had J wave (or negative deplacement of the J point) and ST-segment depression in the right precordial leads. Later, these precordial ECG alterations disappeared and were progressively replaced by prominent J (R') waves and anterior ST-segment elevations, suggesting the presence of a J wave syndrome. In conclusion, the J wave syndrome may be obscured by an acute inferior myocardial infarction with concomitant ST-segment depression in the right precordial leads. In such circumstances, early detection of the J wave (or depressed J point) may be used as ECG marker of the early repolarization syndrome or Brugada syndrome.

Keywords : acute myocardial infarction; Brugada syndrome; early repolarization syndrome; J wave.

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