Patients with non-Q wave myocardial infarction tend to have smaller infarcts and less degree of ventricular function impairment initially, however, uncomplicated non-Q wave infarctions are known to be as serious as Q wave myocardal infarction due to residual myocardal ischemia and higher reinfarction rate.

Inorder to compare the clinical and coronary angiographic findings of Q wave infarction with those of non-Q wave infarction. 58 partients with acute myocardial infarction were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were classified into Q wave(n=45) and non-Q wave infarction(n=13) according to electrocardiographic findings.

1) There were no significant differences between the two groups in risk factors of coronary artery disease such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoking and diabets mellitus.

2) The peak myocardial enzyme levels of CPK, CPK-MB were significantly higher in the Q wave MI group, and the percentage of wall motion abnormality on two-dimensional echocardiography was significantly higher in Q wave MI than in the non-Q wave MI group.

3) The number of involved vessel, degree of stenosis and collateral circulation were not different but high degree of stenosis of infarct-related artery was more frequent in Q wave MI group.

4) There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of arrhythmia and in-hospital mortality.

There were some differences in clinical and angiographic findings, but in-hospital mortality was not significant different between two groups. Futher prospective studies should be performed to clarify the long term prognosis.