Lesson XI - T Wave Abnormalities

XI. T Wave Abnormalities

Frank G. Yanowitz, MD
Professor of Medicine
University of Utah School of Medicine

INTRODUCTION:

The T wave is the most labile wave in the ECG. T wave changes including low-
amplitude T waves and abnormally inverted T waves may be the result of many
cardiac and non-cardiac conditions. The normal T wave is usually in the same
direction as the QRS except in the right precordial leads (see V2 below). Also,
the normal T wave is asymmetric with the first half moving more slowly than the
second half. In the normal ECG (see below) the T wave is always upright in
leads I, II, V3-6, and always inverted in lead aVR. The other leads are variable
depending on the direction of the QRS and the age of the patient.

click here to view

Differential Diagnosis of T Wave Inversion

Q wave and non-Q wave MI (e.g., evolving anteroseptal MI):

http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/ecg/ecg_outline/Lesson11/index.html (1 of 2) [5/11/2006 9:39:43 AM]