BACKGROUND: While J-waves were observed in healthy populations, variations in their reported incidence may be partly explicable by the ECG filter setting. METHODS: We obtained resting 12-lead ECG recordings in 665 consecutive patients and enrolled 112 (56 men, 56 women, mean age 59.3±16.1years) who manifested J-waves on ECGs acquired with a 150-Hz low-pass filter. We then studied the J-waves on individual ECGs to look for morphological changes when 25-, 35-, 75-, 100-, and 150Hz filters were used. RESULTS: The notching observed with the 150-Hz filter changed to slurring (42%) or was eliminated (28%) with the 25-Hz filter. Similarly, the slurring seen with the 150-Hz filter was eliminated on 71% of ECGs recorded with the 25-Hz filter. The amplitude of J-waves was significantly lower with 25- and 35-Hz than 75-, 100-, and 150-Hz filters (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The ECG filter setting significantly affects the J-wave morphology.
BACKGROUND: While J-waves were observed in healthy populations, variations in their reported incidence may be partly explicable by the ECG filter setting. METHODS: We obtained resting 12-lead ECG recordings in 665 consecutive patients and enrolled 112 (56 men, 56 women, mean age 59.3±16.1years) who manifested J-waves on ECGs acquired with a 150-Hz low-pass filter. We then studied the J-waves on individual ECGs to look for morphological changes when 25-, 35-, 75-, 100-, and 150Hz filters were used. RESULTS: The notching observed with the 150-Hz filter changed to slurring (42%) or was eliminated (28%) with the 25-Hz filter. Similarly, the slurring seen with the 150-Hz filter was eliminated on 71% of ECGs recorded with the 25-Hz filter. The amplitude of J-waves was significantly lower with 25- and 35-Hz than 75-, 100-, and 150-Hz filters (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The ECG filter setting significantly affects the J-wave morphology.