Inferior myocardial infarction commonly presents with ST elevation in which leads?

Inferior myocardial infarction commonly presents with ST elevation in which leads?

• A. Leads II, III, and aVF
• B. Leads I and aVL
• C. Leads V1-V3
• D. Leads II, III, and aVR

Answer: (A)

Inferior myocardial infarction shows ST elevation in the leads that view the inferior wall of the heart. The standard inferior leads are II, III, and aVF, so ST elevations there indicate an inferior infarct. The usual cause is occlusion of the right coronary artery, which supplies the inferior wall. A helpful accompanying sign is reciprocal ST depression in the high lateral leads (I and aVL). The other lead groups point to different regions: I and aVL reflect the high lateral wall, V1-V3 reflect the anterior/septal region, and ST changes in aVR are not the classic pattern for an isolated inferior infarct.

Inferior myocardial infarction shows ST elevation in the leads that view the inferior wall of the heart. The standard inferior leads are II, III, and aVF, so ST elevations there indicate an inferior infarct. The usual cause is occlusion of the right coronary artery, which supplies the inferior wall. A helpful accompanying sign is reciprocal ST depression in the high lateral leads (I and aVL). The other lead groups point to different regions: I and aVL reflect the high lateral wall, V1-V3 reflect the anterior/septal region, and ST changes in aVR are not the classic pattern for an isolated inferior infarct.