Electrocardiographic "Peri-Infarction Block"

Abstract

Detailed analysis for the presence and type of heart disease was made in 96 deceased patients who had electrocardiographic "peri-infarction block." Evidence for disease of the left ventricle was found in 80 per cent of these patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy and diffuse scarring of the left ventricle were the most common abnormalities on pathologic examination. Definite myocardial infarction was found in only 12 of the 55 patients (22 per cent) subjected to postmortem examination. Electrocardiographic "peri-infarction block" was therefore not specific for myocardial infarction although it was often associated with it. Use of the term should be restricted to left intraventricular conduction defect of the "peri-infarction block type." In spite of the nonspecificity of this type of intraventricular conduction defect, it can be a useful clinical sign. If chronic obstructive airway disease and emphysema can be excluded, the presence of some type of left ventricular disease is almost assured.