TY - JOUR
T1 - Early repolarization and sudden cardiac arrest
T2 - Theme or variation on a theme?
AU - Myerburg, Robert J.
AU - Castellanos, Agustin
PY - 2008/10/8
Y1 - 2008/10/8
N2 - The association between early repolarization patterns on electrocardiograms and risk of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation reported by Haïssaguerre et al. raises questions about the generally held concept that early repolarization is a benign electrocardiographic pattern. Although the association reported is strong enough to suggest validity, the data do not permit distinction between the following two possibilities: that early repolarization is a single pathophysiological entity with variable expression, or that early repolarization is a nonspecific electrocardiographic pattern that might be associated with specific high-risk or low-risk entities. Until prospective population data are available, physicians should continue to view this common electrocardiographic variant as generally benign. Careful attention should, however, be paid to patients with early repolarization and J-point elevations of more than 2 mm, especially those with otherwise unexplained arrhythmias or a family history of unexplained sudden death.
AB - The association between early repolarization patterns on electrocardiograms and risk of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation reported by Haïssaguerre et al. raises questions about the generally held concept that early repolarization is a benign electrocardiographic pattern. Although the association reported is strong enough to suggest validity, the data do not permit distinction between the following two possibilities: that early repolarization is a single pathophysiological entity with variable expression, or that early repolarization is a nonspecific electrocardiographic pattern that might be associated with specific high-risk or low-risk entities. Until prospective population data are available, physicians should continue to view this common electrocardiographic variant as generally benign. Careful attention should, however, be paid to patients with early repolarization and J-point elevations of more than 2 mm, especially those with otherwise unexplained arrhythmias or a family history of unexplained sudden death.
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U2 - 10.1038/ncpcardio1354
DO - 10.1038/ncpcardio1354
M3 - Comment/debate
C2 - 18838968
AN - SCOPUS:57049163526
VL - 5
SP - 760
EP - 761
JO - Nature Reviews Cardiology
JF - Nature Reviews Cardiology
SN - 1759-5002
IS - 12
ER -