Pseudo-double T wave ECG artifact

Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol. 2016 Sep;27(3):323-5. doi: 10.1007/s00399-016-0442-6.

Abstract

In the ECG of a diabetic patient without coronary artery disease, a double T wave was observed. The ECG was normal the next day. This finding was interpreted as representing repolarization abnormalities (e. g., myocardial ischemia) by many health care workers. However, it represents an artifact called "pseudo double T wave". The cause is unknown but most likely due to abnormalities at the interface between surface electrodes and skin tissue. The diagnosis of ECG artifacts requires meticulous examination of the tracings coupled with a thorough knowledge of normal patterns.

Keywords: Coronary artery disease; Electrocardiographic artifacts; Electrocardiography; Repolarization abnormalities.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Artifacts*
  • Diagnostic Errors / prevention & control*
  • Electrocardiography / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Ischemia / diagnosis*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity