Prognostic value of early repolarization pattern in development of VT/VF in ischemic heart disease, hypothermia, etc

Abstract

The existence of a J wave/ER predicts prognosis of various heart diseases and extracardiac conditions. A large J with a horizontal or descending ST segment in the infero-lateral leads has arrhythmogenicity and this malignant type of J wave is common in various diseases. The existence of a J wave itself might be innocent, but additional pathological conditions, such as hypothermia, myocardial ischemia or heart failure, induce electrophysiological instability and result in lethal arrhythmias.