Which EKG finding is commonly associated with myocardial infarction?

Elevated ST segments are a hallmark finding in the case of a myocardial infarction, particularly in what is referred to as ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). This elevation occurs because the myocardial tissue is damaged due to a lack of oxygen, typically from a blockage in a coronary artery. When the heart muscle becomes ischemic (lacks adequate blood flow), it causes changes in the electrical activity of the heart that can be detected on an EKG. The elevated ST segment reflects the early phase of injury to the myocardium, signifying that a portion of the heart is in distress.

In contrast, other findings such as tall T waves or depressed ST segments can indicate different conditions. Tall T waves may suggest hyperkalemia or other cardiac conditions, while depressed ST segments could indicate ischemia rather than infarction itself. Inverted QRS complexes generally signify conditions such as ventricular hypertrophy or conduction delays rather than directly indicating an acute myocardial infarction. Therefore, elevated ST segments are the key feature that clearly signifies myocardial infarction on an EKG.