EKG question?

[JHawk623]

does anyone happen to know what an inverted t-wave indicates? is it something to be concerned with?

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[foreignmd]

T-waves are the least specific part of an EKG, so it can mean nothing, or it can be a sign of ischemia or whatever process going on. Nobody will be able to tell you anything meaningful without seeing the whole EKG (even better, seeing a previous EKG for comparison), and knowing the story why in the first place this EKG has been recorded.

 

[southerndoc]

Generally inverted T waves are *one* sign of an infarction, but you have to consider the entire EKG.

Can you scan it in for us? We can all learn from it I'm sure.

Do the T-wave inversions fit a specific pattern? (i.e., is it in inferior leads, anterior leads, etc. or is it limited to one lead, in two leads that aren't consistent with anatomy, etc.?)

 

[squeek]

T waves signifiy a ventricular repolarization abnormality. However, as previous posters have mentioned, they are very non-specific...they can occur as a result of ischemia, but you may also see them in LVH, etc.

 

[task]

All of the above. TwI are one of the most non-specific findings on an EKG. As with anything else, you correlate the findings with your history + physical exam. Enzymes are a bonus.

TwI can be seen with LVH, with tachycardia, with poor RPPP control, or with nothing at all.

Comparison to old EKGs is key as well.

In terms of ischemia/infarct, think of EKG changes this way:

TwI -- non-specific or ischemia
ST depressions -- ischemia
ST elevation -- infarct

 

[MustafaMond]

Originally posted by task
Comparison to old EKGs is key as well.