Q wave MI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Q waves represent areas of electrically inert tissue following either ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction or Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Q wave MI in the past has been taken to be synonymous with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction, but this is incorrect in so far as not all ST Elevation Myocardial Infarctions evolve a Q wave, and because Q waves can be secondary to a Non ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.