S-T segment depression in right-sided precordial leads during acute inferior wall infarction

Right-sided chest leads (V₃-V₄R) were recorded in the early stages of first inferior wall acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in 100 consecutive patients. Nine patients (9%) presenting with S-T segment depression (> 1 mm) in these leads were subsequently studied by echocardiography and radionuclear angiography. In this group, there were 5 patients with intact right ventricular (RV) function and 4 other patients with clinical findings compatible with RV infarction. We suggest that one should not rule out RV involvement when S-T segment depression rather than elevation is seen in the right precordial leads in the presence of inferior wall AMI. An individual assessment for RV infarction is recommended when this pattern is apparent on the ECG.