Prognostic implications of ST‐segment elevation in lead aVR in patients with acute coronary syndrome: A meta‐analysis

Background ST‐segment elevation (STE) in lead aVR is a useful tool in recognizing patients with left main or left anterior descending coronary obstruction during acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The prognostic implication of STE in lead aVR on outcomes has not been established. Methods We performed a systematic search for clinical studies about STE in lead aVR in four databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included in‐hospital (re)infarction, in‐hospital heart failure, and 90‐day mortality. Results We included 7 studies with a total of 7,700 patients. The all‐cause in‐hospital mortality of patients with STE in lead aVR during ACS was significantly higher than that of patients without STE (OR: 4.37, 95% CI 1.63 to 11.68, p = .003). Patients with greater STE (>0.1 mV) in lead aVR had a higher in‐hospital mortality when compared to lower STE (0.05–0.1 mV) (OR: 2.00, 95% CI 1.11–3.60, p = .02), However, STE in aVR was not independently associated with in‐hospital mortality in ACS patients (OR: 2.72, 95% CI 0.85–8.63, p = .09). The incidence of in‐hospital myocardial (re)infarction (OR: 2.77, 95% CI 1.30–5.94, p = .009), in‐hospital heart failure (OR: 2.62, 95% CI 1.06–6.50, p = .04), and 90‐day mortality (OR: 10.19, 95% CI 5.27–19.71, p