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Incidence and Clinical Significance

Jeremy N. Ruskin, MD; Masood Akhtar, MD; Anthony N. Damato, MD; Andres R. Ticzon, MD; Sun H. Lau, MD; Antonio R. Caracta, MD

JAMA. 1976;235(25):2727-2730.

Abstract
Between January 1970 and January 1975 the diagnosis of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome was entertained in 44 patients. Thirty-one (70%) of these patients had negative -defiections (Q waves) on one or more electrocardiographic leads, thereby simulating a pattern of myocardial infarction (MI). Fifteen patients (34%) were initially referred with an erroneous diagnosis of MI based on the presence of Q waves. In nine of these 15 patients, the referring diagnosis was MI plus ventricular preexcitation; in six, the diagnosis of ventricular preexcitation was overlooked entirely. The incidence of misdiagnosis (34%) was exactly the same as that reported by Wolff and White approximately 30 years ago. Erroneous diagnoses of MI can be virtually eliminated by normalizing the ORS complex by premature stimulation of the atrium during the effective refractory period of the accessory pathway.

(JAMA 235:2727-2730, 1976)

Author Affiliations
From the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston (Dr Ruskin), and the Cardiopulmonary Laboratory, US Public Health Service Hospital, Staten Island, New York.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Cardiopulmonary Laboratory, US Public Health Service Hospital, Staten Island, NY 10304 (Dr Damato).

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