Mimics of myocardial infarction:

Conditions that can mimic infarction by producing either pathologic Q waves, ST segment elevation or loss of R wave height, in the absence of infarction, are listed below.

Condition Pseudoinfarct location
WPW pattern Any, most commonly infero-posterior
Hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy
Lateral-apical (18%), inferior (11%)
LBBB Anteroseptal, anterolateral, inferior
RBBB Inferior, posterior, anterior
LVH Anterior, inferior
LAFB Anterior (may cause a tiny q in V2)
COPD Inferior, posterior, anterior
RVH Inferior, posterior, anterior, or apical
Acute cor pulmonale Inferior, possibly anterior
Cardiomyopathy
(non-ischemic)
Any, most commonly inferior (with IVCD pattern); less commonly anterior
Chest deformity Any
Left pneumothorax Anterior, anterolateral
Hyperkalemia Any
Normal hearts Posterior, anterior

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