Preexcitation unmasks J waves: 2 cases.

Abstract

It is not known if J waves of early repolarization can be affected by depolarization or not. We report 2 cases in whom J waves were unmasked by preexcitation. A 59-year-old woman with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome who had frequent episodes of tachycardia underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation. The 12-lead electrocardiogram on admission showed delta waves and a notch in leads II, III, and aVF (J waves), which disappeared after the elimination of preexcitation. A 56-year-old man with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome was admitted for catheter ablation for supraventricular tachycardia. His electrocardiogram showed delta waves in I, II, aVL, V(2) to V(6), and J waves in the inferior leads and V(3) through V(6) with ST elevation and ST elevation in V(2). After ablation, J waves disappeared and were replaced by S waves. However, ST elevation remained in the precordial leads. The 2 cases suggest that J waves may be affected by the depolarization process: preexcitation.

• Authors: Satomi Nagao, Yuka Hayashi, Nobue Yagihara, Akinori Sato, Hiroshi Watanabe, Hiroshi Furushima, Masaomi Chinushi, Yoshifusa Aizawa
• Journal: Journal of electrocardiology (J Electrocardiol) 2011 May-Jun Vol. 44 Issue 3 Pg. 359-62 ISSN: 1532-8430 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21130465 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Topics

• Catheter Ablation
• Electrocardiography
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (physiopathology, surgery)