What does Q wave represent in ECG?
By definition, a Q wave on the electrocardiogram (ECG) is an initially negative deflection of the QRS complex. Technically, a Q wave indicates that the net direction of early ventricular depolarization (QRS) electrical forces projects toward the negative pole of the lead axis in question.
What causes abnormal Q wave?
Background: Abnormal Q waves (AQW) in the electrocardiogram are commonly ascribed to underlying myocardial infarction (MI). As an imperfectly specific sign of MI, the usefulness of AQW in identifying MI depends on its incidence in the population studied.
What does deep Q wave mean?
Q-WAVE ABNORMALITIES Q waves represent the initial phase of ventricular depolarization. They are pathologic if they are abnormally wide (>0.2 second) or abnormally deep (>5 mm). Q waves that are pathologically deep but not wide are often indicators of ventricular hypertrophy.
What do Q waves mean on an EKG?
The ekg has waves with amplitude and direction. A q wave reflects a lack of electrical force in a certain direction. This lack of force has some correlation when a change in pattern with a loss of muscle as is seen in heart damage like a heart attack. Old infarct.
What does a significant Q wave indicate?
Q waves are “significant” if they are greater than 1 box in width (longer than 0.04 msec) OR are larger than 1/4 of the R wave. Significant Q waves indicate either myocardial infarction or obstructive septal hypertrophy (IHSS). The first upward deflection of the QRS is called the R wave.
What is Q wave after mi?
A pathological Q wave is a result of absence of electrical activity, following myocardial damage. They generally take several hours to develop after an MI, and usually persist indefinitely. The exception to this is if seen during an acute MI, but the myocardial tissue is reperfused early by Primary PCI…
What do Q waves mean?
medical Definition of Q wave. : the short initial downward stroke of the QRS complex in an electrocardiogram formed during the beginning of ventricular depolarization .
