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Postextrasystolic T wave changes and angiographic coronary disease
British Heart Journal
|April 1, 1977
Summary
Postextrasystolic T wave changes, observed after induced extrasystoles, are not reliable indicators for diagnosing or localizing coronary artery disease in patients. These changes occur frequently even in individuals with healthy coronary arteries.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Postextrasystolic T wave changes are electrocardiographic findings that may indicate myocardial issues.
- Their diagnostic utility in coronary artery disease (CAD) requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the significance of postextrasystolic T wave changes in diagnosing and localizing coronary artery disease.
Main Methods:
- Assessed postextrasystolic T wave changes in 55 patients using electrocardiography and coronary angiography.
- Correlated T wave changes with the presence and location of coronary artery stenosis.
Main Results:
- T wave changes were present in 81% of CAD patients and 68% of patients with normal coronary arteries.
- No significant difference in T wave changes was observed between normal and stenosed coronary arteries (54% vs. 55%).
- Left ventricular asynergy was not associated with increased T wave changes.
Conclusions:
- Postextrasystolic T wave changes are not a reliable diagnostic tool for coronary artery disease.
- These findings do not aid in localizing coronary artery disease due to their high prevalence in normal arteries.