ABSTRACT
Objective: Poor R wave progression in right precordial leads is a relatively common electrocardiogram (ECG) finding that indicates possible prior anterior myocardial infarction (MI); however, it is observed frequently in apparently normal individuals. In contrast, reversed R wave progression (RRWP) may be more specific to cardiac disorders; however, the significance of RRWP in daily clinical practice is unknown. The purpose of this study was to clarify the significance of RRWP in clinical practice.Materials and Methods: We analyzed consecutive ECGs obtained from 12,139 patients aged ≥20 years at Mito Kyodo General Hospital in Ibaraki between November 2009 and August 2012. Our setting is a secondary emergency hospital in the community, and the study participants were inpatients or patients who visited the general or emergency outpatient departments. RRWP was defined as RV2 < RV1, RV3 < RV2, or RV4 < RV3. Regarding ECGs considered to show RRWP, we confirmed the presence or absence of an abnormal Q wave and whether ultrasound cardiography, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, coronary angiography, and/or left ventriculography were performed to obtain detailed information.Results: RRWP was identified in 34 patients (0.3%). Among these patients, 29 (85%) had undergone cardiac evaluation. The final diagnosis was previous anterior MI in 12 patients (41%) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) without MI in 5 patients (17%). All 17 patients with IHD had left anterior descending (LAD) artery stenosis. The other patients were diagnosed with dilated (two patients, 7%) and hypertrophic (one patient, 3%) cardiomyopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy (one patient, 3%), or pulmonary embolism (one patient, 3%). Only seven patients (24%) were normal.Conclusions: RRWP is rare in daily clinical practice; however, it is a highly indicative marker for cardiac disease, particularly IHD with LAD artery stenosis.
ABSTRACT
A 61-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to a 3-month history of fever of unknown origin, and with right knee and ankle joint pains. At another hospital, extensive investigations had produced negative results, including multiple sterile cultures of blood and joint fluids, and negative autoantibodies. His serum uric acid level was not elevated. However, after admission to our hospital, we performed right knee arthrocentesis, which revealed uric acid crystals. These findings, combined with the results of imaging tests, which showed joint degeneration, led to a diagnosis of advanced erosive gout. After receiving a therapeutic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and a maintenance dose of colchicine for prophylaxis against recurrence, the patient's symptoms subsided and did not return. Advanced erosive gout should be considered a possible cause of fever of unknown origin and diagnostic arthrocentesis should be performed in patients with unexplained arthritis.