JACC Case Rep. 2026 May 26:108542. doi: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2026.108542. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We present an asymptomatic patient with pathological septal Q waves.
CASE SUMMARY: An 18-year-old asymptomatic man was referred for further evaluation after pathological Q waves were identified on an electrocardiogram performed at his own initiative. Electrocardiography demonstrated sinus rhythm with pathological septal Q waves. Physical examination and laboratory tests were unremarkable.
DISCUSSION: Multimodality cardiac imaging, particularly cardiac magnetic resonance, plays a central role in tissue characterization, differential diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic decision-making in patients with atypical electrocardiographic findings.
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: Pathological Q waves in young patients often reflect nonischemic heart disease, making advanced cardiac imaging essential to distinguish these findings from myocardial infarction.
PMID:42189022 | DOI:10.1016/j.jaccas.2026.108542