BACKGROUND: T-wave inversion in right precordial leads V(1) to V(3) is a relatively common finding in a 12-lead ECG of children and adolescents and is infrequently found also in healthy adults. However, this ECG pattern can also be the first presentation of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. The prevalence and prognostic significance of T-wave inversions in the middle-aged general population are not well known. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 12-lead ECGs of 10 899 Finnish middle-aged subjects (52% men, mean age 44 ± 8.5 years) recorded between 1966 and 1972 for the presence of inverted T waves and followed the subjects for 30 ± 11 years. Primary end points were all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, and arrhythmic death. T-wave inversions in right precordial leads V(1) to V(3) were present in 54 (0.5%) of the subjects. In addition, 76 (0.7%) of the subjects had inverted T waves present only in leads other than V(1) to V(3). Right precordial T-wave inversions did not predict increased mortality (not significant for all end points). However, inverted T waves in leads other than V(1) to V(3) were associated with an increased risk of cardiac and arrhythmic death (P<0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: T-wave inversions in right precordial leads are relatively rare in the general population, and are not associated with adverse outcome. Increased mortality risk associated with inverted T waves in other leads may reflect the presence of an underlying structural heart disease.
BACKGROUND: T-wave inversion in right precordial leads V(1) to V(3) is a relatively common finding in a 12-lead ECG of children and adolescents and is infrequently found also in healthy adults. However, this ECG pattern can also be the first presentation of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. The prevalence and prognostic significance of T-wave inversions in the middle-aged general population are not well known. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 12-lead ECGs of 10 899 Finnish middle-aged subjects (52% men, mean age 44 ± 8.5 years) recorded between 1966 and 1972 for the presence of inverted T waves and followed the subjects for 30 ± 11 years. Primary end points were all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, and arrhythmic death. T-wave inversions in right precordial leads V(1) to V(3) were present in 54 (0.5%) of the subjects. In addition, 76 (0.7%) of the subjects had inverted T waves present only in leads other than V(1) to V(3). Right precordial T-wave inversions did not predict increased mortality (not significant for all end points). However, inverted T waves in leads other than V(1) to V(3) were associated with an increased risk of cardiac and arrhythmic death (P<0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: T-wave inversions in right precordial leads are relatively rare in the general population, and are not associated with adverse outcome. Increased mortality risk associated with inverted T waves in other leads may reflect the presence of an underlying structural heart disease.
Authors: Mireia Alcalde; Oscar Campuzano; Georgia Sarquella-Brugada; Elena Arbelo; Catarina Allegue; Sara Partemi; Anna Iglesias; Antonio Oliva; Josep Brugada; Ramon Brugada Journal: Clin Res Cardiol Date: 2014-11-15 Impact factor: 5.460
Authors: Jani T Tikkanen; Tuomas Kenttä; Kimmo Porthan; Heikki V Huikuri; M Juhani Junttila Journal: Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol Date: 2015-09-22 Impact factor: 1.468
Authors: William Whang; James Peacock; Elsayed Z Soliman; Carmela Alcantara; Saman Nazarian; Amit J Shah; Karina W Davidson; Steven Shea; Paul Muntner; Daichi Shimbo Journal: Am J Cardiol Date: 2014-09-28 Impact factor: 2.778
Authors: Jani Pirinen; Jukka Putaala; Karoliina Aarnio; Aapo L Aro; Satu Mustanoja; Juha Sinisalo; Markku Kaste; Elena Haapaniemi; Turgut Tatlisumak; Mika Lehto Journal: Eur Stroke J Date: 2017-03-01