This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Non-Q wave myocardial infarction (MI)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Non-ST elevation MI (previously termed non-Q wave MI, often referred to as non-STEMI), is an unstable coronary syndrome which is differentiated from unstable angina by a subsequent rise in cardiac enzymes. ECG findings often include ST depression but do not include new pathological Q waves.

The term acute coronary syndrome is characterized by a clinical syndrome of acute ischaemic chest pain with either rest pain or a crescendo pattern of pain on minimal exertion, associated with ECG changes of ischaemia (ST elevation or depression or T inversion)

  • ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is then distinguished from other forms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) by the presence of persistent ST elevation
    • distinction between non-STEMI and unstable angina is based on the presence (non-STEMI) or absence (unstable angina) of a rise in cardiac enzymes or troponin

NICE note that people with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEMI) (ACS) have a high incidence of recurrent myocardial ischaemia, a similar long-term outcome to those with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and a worse outcome than for people with unstable angina (1).

Click here for ECG examples of non-ST elevation MI

Reference:

  1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Acute coronary syndromes. Nov 2020 [internet publication]

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.