Electrocardiographic J waves as a hyperacute sign of Takotsubo syndrome

Alessandro Zorzi; Federico Migliore; Martina Perazzolo Marra; Giuseppe Tarantini; Sabino Iliceto; Domenico Corrado

doi:10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2012.04.004

Electrocardiographic J waves as a hyperacute sign of Takotsubo syndrome

J Electrocardiol. 2012 Jul-Aug;45(4):353-356. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2012.04.004. Epub 2012 May 10.

Authors

Alessandro Zorzi¹, Federico Migliore¹, Martina Perazzolo Marra¹, Giuseppe Tarantini¹, Sabino Iliceto¹, Domenico Corrado²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular sciences, University of Padova, Italy.
² Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular sciences, University of Padova, Italy. Electronic address: domenico.corrado@unipd.it.

PMID: 22578876
DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2012.04.004

Abstract

Typical electrocardiographic (ECG) signs of acute Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) consist of ST-segment elevation and/or T wave inversion. We report an unusual case of a 62-year-old woman with TTS who acutely exhibited on 12-lead ECG transient J waves preceding ST-T abnormalities. In the experimental model of myocardial ischemia, the appearance of J waves represents an early ECG abnormality and is followed by ST-segment elevation. Because of the similar ECG time course observed in TTS and myocardial ischemia, we speculate that common electrophysiologic mechanisms may account for J waves appearance in these 2 clinical conditions. Our case report shows that recording of ECG J waves in postmenopausal women presenting for acute chest pain may be a sign of an ongoing TTS and suggests a similarity to myocardial ischemia as the pathologic basis.

MeSH terms

Acute Disease
Chest Pain / diagnosis
Chest Pain / etiology
Electrocardiography*
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Myocardial Ischemia / diagnosis
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy / diagnosis*