ABSENCE OF SEPTAL Q WAVES: An Important Predictor of Significant Coronary Artery Disease and Mainly Proximal Stenosis of the Left Anterior Descending Artery.

AIMS: Data concerning the correlation between the absence of septal q waves and significant stenosis of proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery shows conflicting results. This retrospective study was conducted to show that absence of septal q waves in leads V5-V6 could be of value in predicting significant coronary artery disease (CAD) and mainly significant proximal LAD coronary artery stenosis.

METHODS: Our study included 500 consecutive patients who had coronary angiography, retrospectively chosen, excluding patients with acute coronary syndromes, and patients with abnormal ECGs (abnormal QRS duration, pathological q waves and hemiblocks). ECG and angiography films were reviewed. For the 2x2 tables analysis, a chi-square test was used.

RESULTS: Of the 500 patients, 386 had significant CAD defined as 70% luminal stenosis, and 260 had no septal q wave. Of the 386 patients with significant CAD, 233 (60%) did not have septal q waves. Of 260 who did not have septal q wave, 192 (73%) had significant stenosis of proximal LAD. Statistical analysis shows that significant CAD correlates with the absence of septal q waves, with a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 76%, and that stenosis of proximal LAD could be predicted by absence of septal q waves in leads V5-V6 with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 74%.

CONCLUSION: The absence of septal q waves in leads V5-V6 on the ECG correlates with the presence of significant CAD and is of highly predictive value in those with significant stenosis of proximal LAD (p < 0.0001).