Clinical implications of coronary arteriographic findings soon after non-Q-wave acute myocardial infarction

A significant incidence of death and myocardial infarction after non-Q-wave infarction belies the earlier impression that it is less serious than Q-wave infarction. Coronary angiography in the early stages after non-Q-wave infarction shows a progressive increase in the number of totally occluded vessels. This is paralleled by an increase in number of collateral vessels. Thrombus also becomes increasingly prevalent over the week after non-Q-wave infarction, and plays a role in 30 to 40% of infarctions.