Invert T-waves

Posted by Denise on June 10, 1999 at 13:49:40
My father was recently scheduled to have surgery on his neck and arms, he was sent for an EKG to make sure there were no problems.  When the doctors office got the results, they said they found inverted T-waves on the EKG and the change was so dramatic when compared to his last one in 1994, they cancelled the surgery and advised him to see a cardiologist immediately.  The doctor states it was possible signs of ischemia.
What does inverted T-waves exactly mean and what exactly is ischemia?  My mother and I are concerned, but are just as confused as my father as to what exactly this means.  Any information that you can give would be greatly appreciated, the orthopaedic surgeon he was seeing really would not say much about the results other than what I said above and because my dad has never seen a cardiologist before he is apprehensive about going to one and what they might say.  Thank you for your time and efforts in answering our questions.
Sincerely,
Denise

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on June 10, 1999 at 15:21:03
Dear Denise
Your father should see a cardiologist. The inverted T waves can be evidence of a prior heart attack or a severe blood flow problem to the heart, and this needs to be sorted out before surgery. In addition, other things like high blood pressure can cause inverted T waves.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.