Diagnosis and discrimination of remote antero- and inferoseptal non-Q wave myocardial infarctions with body surface potential mapping.

Background: Previous studies have shown that the diagnosis and localization of previous non-Q wave myocardial infarction (NQMI) is possible by body surface potential mapping (BSPM), but the criteria for the discrimination between anteroseptal and inferoseptal middle regions remain to be determined.

Methods: BSPM using 63 unipolar leads was recorded in 119 patients with previous NQMI (36 to 76 years of age, average 61 years; 85 men). Localization of anteroseptal or inferior middle NQMI occurred in 70 cases (44 to 76 years of age, average 61 years, 53 men) by determining early anterior minimum potential with only slight negativity.