RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Transient giant negative T wave in acute anterior myocardial infarction predicts R wave recovery and preservation of left ventricular function. JF Heart JO Heart FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society SP 229 OP 234 DO 10.1136/hrt.75.3.229 VO 75 IS 3 A1 Agetsuma, H. A1 Hirai, M. A1 Hirayama, H. A1 Suzuki, A. A1 Takanaka, C. A1 Yabe, S. A1 Inagaki, H. A1 Takatsu, F. A1 Hayashi, H. A1 Saito, H. YR 1996 UL http://heart.bmj.com/content/75/3/229.abstract AB OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of a giant negative T wave (> or = 1.0 mV) in precordial leads of 12-lead electrocardiograms in the acute phase of Q wave myocardial infarction as a predictor of myocardial salvage. METHODS: Coronary angiographic and electrocardiographic findings, left ventricular ejection fraction in the chronic stage, and levels of cardiac enzymes were compared in patients with myocardial infarction with (group GNT, n = 31) and without (group N, n = 20) a giant negative T wave. GNT patients were divided into two subgroups according to the presence (GNT:R[+], n = 10) or absence (GNT: R[-], n = 21) of R wave recovery with an amplitude > or = 0.1 mV in at least one lead that had shown Q waves. RESULTS: The maximum level of creatine kinase and the total creatine kinase were lower in group GNT compared with group N (P < 0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction was higher in group GNT than in group N (P < 0.05). The maximum creatine kinase and total creatine kinase were lower in GNT:R(+) than in GNT:R(-) (P < 0.01). The left ventricular ejection fraction was higher in GNT:R(+) than in GNT:R(-) (P < 0.01). The frequency of R wave recovery was significantly higher when giant negative T waves appeared within 100 h of myocardial infarction or when the maximum potential was > or = 1.4 mV. The appearance of a giant negative T wave > or = 1.4 mV had a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 71.4%, a diagnostic accuracy of 77.4%, a positive predictive value of 60%, and a negative predictive value of 93.8% for prediction of R wave recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of a giant negative T wave, especially within 100 h of the onset of myocardial infarction, with a maximum potential of > or = 1.4 mV, may predict a reappearance of the R wave and a better left ventricular function in patients in the chronic stage of anterior myocardial infarction.