What EKG finding is likely in patients with myocardial ischemia?

Myocardial ischemia occurs when there is a reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle, leading to a deficiency in oxygen supply. This process can result in distinct changes on an electrocardiogram (EKG) and one of the hallmark findings associated with myocardial ischemia is T-wave inversion.

T-wave inversion reflects a change in the repolarization of the ventricles, which can happen when the heart muscle is under stress due to inadequate blood flow. As the heart's supply of oxygen is compromised, electrical activity can be disrupted, causing the T wave, which normally is upright, to become inverted. This is particularly significant in the context of ischemia, as T-wave inversions are indicators that the heart is facing stress and potential injury.

While ST elevation is typically associated with severe ischemia or infarction (as seen in ST-elevation myocardial infarction or STEMI), it is less likely to be the only finding in the case of ischemia alone. Similarly, Q wave formation indicates previous myocardial infarction and PR interval elongation is related to atrioventricular conduction, rather than myocardial ischemia specifically.

Overall, the presence of T-wave inversion on the EKG is a crucial indicator of myocardial ischemia, making it the correct