EKG rhythm: Which type of myocardial infarction should you suspect given leads II, III, and aVF?

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EKG rhythm: Which type of myocardial infarction should you suspect given leads II, III, and aVF?

Leads II, III, and aVF view the inferior wall of the heart, so ST elevations in these leads indicate injury of that region. When the inferior wall is affected, you’re typically dealing with an inferior myocardial infarction, most often from occlusion of the right coronary artery. That’s why seeing changes in those specific leads points you toward this diagnosis. If the infarction were anterior, you’d expect changes in the anterior chest leads (V1–V4). If it were lateral, changes would appear in I, aVL, and sometimes V5–V6. Posterior involvement is not well seen on the standard 12-lead and is suggested by reciprocal changes (like ST depression) in the anterior leads or by placing posterior leads.

Leads II, III, and aVF view the inferior wall of the heart, so ST elevations in these leads indicate injury of that region. When the inferior wall is affected, you’re typically dealing with an inferior myocardial infarction, most often from occlusion of the right coronary artery. That’s why seeing changes in those specific leads points you toward this diagnosis.

If the infarction were anterior, you’d expect changes in the anterior chest leads (V1–V4). If it were lateral, changes would appear in I, aVL, and sometimes V5–V6. Posterior involvement is not well seen on the standard 12-lead and is suggested by reciprocal changes (like ST depression) in the anterior leads or by placing posterior leads.

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