Posterior MI

Acute Coronary Syndrome Main Page
ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology of Vessel Occlusion
Pathophysiology of Reperfusion
Gross Pathology
Histopathology
Causes
Differentiating ST elevation myocardial infarction from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Triggers
Natural History and Complications
Risk Stratification and Prognosis
Pregnancy
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
EKG Examples
Chest X Ray
Cardiac MRI
Echocardiography
Coronary Angiography
Treatment
Pre-Hospital Care
Initial Care Oxygen Nitrates Analgesics Aspirin Beta Blockers Antithrombins The coronary care unit The step down unit STEMI and Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Pharmacologic Reperfusion Reperfusion Therapy (Overview of Fibrinolysis and Primary PCI) Fibrinolysis Reperfusion at a Non–PCI-Capable Hospital:Recommendations Mechanical Reperfusion The importance of reducing Door-to-Balloon times Primary PCI Adjunctive and Rescue PCI Rescue PCI Facilitated PCI Adjunctive PCI CABG Management of Patients Who Were Not Reperfused Assessing Success of Reperfusion Antithrombin Therapy Antithrombin therapy Unfractionated heparin Low Molecular Weight Heparinoid Therapy Direct Thrombin Inhibitor Therapy Factor Xa Inhibition DVT prophylaxis Long term anticoagulation Antiplatelet Agents Aspirin Thienopyridine Therapy Glycoprotein IIbIIIa Inhibition Other Initial Therapy Inhibition of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Magnesium Therapy Glucose Control Calcium Channel Blocker Therapy Lipid Management
Pre-Discharge Care
Recommendations for Perioperative Management–Timing of Elective Noncardiac Surgery in Patients Treated With PCI and DAPT
Post Hospitalization Plan of Care
Long-Term Medical Therapy and Secondary Prevention Overview Inhibition of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Cardiac Rehabilitation Pacemaker Implantation Long Term Anticoagulation Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator ICD implantation within 40 days of myocardial infarction ICD within 90 days of revascularization
Case Studies
Case #1
Case #2
Case #3
Case #4
Case #5
Posterior MI On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Posterior MI
CDC on Posterior MI
Posterior MI in the news
Blogs on Posterior MI
Directions to Hospitals Treating ST elevation myocardial infarction
Risk calculators and risk factors for Posterior MI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Synonyms and keywords: true posterior MI

Overview

A posterior MI is a heart attack or cessation of blood flow to the heart muscle that involves the backside or posterior side of the heart. Rather than causing the traditional ST segment elevation characteristic of the electrocardiogram of many heart attacks (a "STEMI"), because the heart attack is on the opposite side of the heart, the ST segments are depressed in the anterior precordial leads rather than elevated.

Pathophysiology

A posterior MI is due to occlusion of the left circumflex artery.

EKG Examples of Posterior MI

Shown below is an EKG with ST elevation in II, III, aVF (in III > II), ST depression in I, aVL, V2. Tall R in V2, otherwise normal QRS morphology. The findings are suggestive of acute posteroinferior MI.

Copyleft image obtained courtesy of, http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

---

Shown below is an EKG demonstrating changes during acute posterolateral MI depicting ST depression in precordial leads V2-V6.

Copyleft image obtained courtesy of, http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

---

Shown below is an EKG with ST depression in V1, V4, tall R in V2. ST elevation in II, III, aVF, V5 and V6.

Copyleft image obtained courtesy of, http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

---

Shown below is an EKG illustrating inferior-posterior myocardial infarction with complete AV block and ventricular escape rhythm with RBBB pattern and left axis, followed by sinus rhythm.

Copyleft image obtained courtesy of, http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

---

Shown below is an EKG demonstrating atrial fibrillation and inferior-posterior myocardial infarction.

Copyleft image obtained courtesy of, http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

---

Shown below is an EKG demonstrating inferior-posterior-lateral myocardial infarction with a nodal escape rhythm

Copyleft image obtained courtesy of, http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

---

Shown below is an EKG demonstrating atrial fibrillation with inferior-posterior-lateral myocardial infarction and incomplete right bundle branch block. Lead I shows ST depression, suggestive of right coronary artery involvement.

Copyleft image obtained courtesy of, http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

---

Shown below is an EKG demonstrating typical negative T waves post anterior myocardial infarction. This patient also shows QTc prolongation. Whether this has an effect on prognosis is debated.

Copyleft image obtained courtesy of, http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

---

Shown below is an EKG demonstrating ST elevation in leads II, III and aVF and ST depression in leads V1, V2 and V3 depicting a posterior MI.

---