View source for Repolarization (ST-T,U) Abnormalities

{{authors|
|mainauthor= [[user:Vdbilt|I.A.C. van der Bilt]]
|moderator= [[user:VdBilt|I.A.C. van der Bilt]]
|supervisor=
}}

Repolarization can be influenced by many factors, including electrolyte shifts, ischemia, structural heart disease (cardiomyopathy) and (recent) arrhythmias. Although T/U wave abnormalities are rarely specific for one disease, it can be useful to know which conditions can change repolarization.

*Early repolarization (normal variant)[[File:early_repol.svg|thumb|300px]]
*Juvenile T waves (normal variant)
*Nonspecific abnormality, ST segment and/or T wave
*ST and/or T wave suggests ischemia
*ST suggests injury
*ST suggests ventricular aneurysm
*Q-T interval prolonged
*Prominent U waves
*Cardiac Memory|Cardiac Memory

'''Early repolarization''' is a normal variant of the ST segment, seen in 2-5% of patients, especially young men. Early repolarization is characterized by elevation of the J point and the beginning of the ST segment as well as elevation of the ST segment itself<cite>Wellens</cite>. The ST segment may be concave up (cup-like) or concave (dome-like). These findings are most often present in the middle chest leads V2-V5.
Recently a different form of early repolarization has been associated with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation. This form is most often seen in lead II and consists of a 'hump' in the tail of the QRS complex, without ST elevation.