The atrial T wave: The elusive electrocardiographic wave exposed by a case of shifting atrial pacemaker

Philip Langley; Jane Caldwell

doi:10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2016.05.003

The atrial T wave: The elusive electrocardiographic wave exposed by a case of shifting atrial pacemaker

J Electrocardiol. 2016 Jul-Aug;49(4):557-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2016.05.003. Epub 2016 May 13.

Authors

Philip Langley¹, Jane Caldwell²

Affiliations

¹ School of Engineering, University of Hull, Hull, UK. Electronic address: p.langley@hull.ac.uk.
² Hull & East Yorkshire NHS Trust and Hull York Medical School, Hull, UK.

PMID: 27215648
DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2016.05.003

Abstract

The atrial T wave (Ta wave) is the body surface manifestation of atrial repolarisation and, unlike the P wave (atrial depolarisation), is little recognised. We report the case of a patient with shifting pacemaker which clearly demonstrates the effect of the Ta wave on ST segment and T wave. A simple conceptual model is used to explain the observed phenomenon. The case serves as a reminder of this often forgotten ECG wave and its potential effects on other ECG features.

Keywords: Atrial Depolarisation; Atrial Repolarisation; Electrocardiogram; Pacemaker; Simple conceptual model.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Atrioventricular Node / physiopathology*
Biological Clocks*
Computer Simulation
Electrocardiography / methods*
Heart Conduction System / physiopathology*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Models, Cardiovascular*