Re: Non-specific T-wave Abnormalities

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on March 23, 1999 at 23:18:36:

In Reply to: Non-specific T-wave Abnormalities posted by Dee on March 23, 1999 at 09:34:37:






Hi Dr.,
I heard on the local news last night about a study that was done that concluded non-specific t-wave abnormalities may be more of an indicator of a problem than previously thought.
It stated that men with non-specific t-wave abnormalities are 2 1/2 times more likely to die of a heart related problem.  If you've heard of anything about this finding, can you point me to the statistical results of the study?  I don't always believe what I hear in the local news, actually most of the time they inflate, so I would like to research myself.
I've had non-specific t-wave abnormalities on my resting EKG/Stress Test (treadmill) and 24-Holter for 12 years without any problems and wonder what the relevance of this abnormality is.  The cardio. always just signs my EKG abnormal and has never discussed the issue with me, which is an indicator to me that it is nothing.  I'm not worried about it because it is something that is out of my control (I think).  Plus, it has been there for 12 years, why worry now.  I focus my attention on better things.  So, my questions are:
1.  Can you point me in the direction of the statistical results?
2.  Is this finding ditto for women?
3.  What does non-specific t-wave abnormalities mean anyway?  Obviously by their name "non-specific", it isn't targeted, but in a general sense.  On my 24-hour Holter, I've had symptoms of dizziness that have been interpreted as "related to non-specific t-wave changes (or something like that)".  Other than that, they are just words on my various test results.
4.  Are non-specific t-wave abnormalities congenital or something that is developed?  If developed, what causes it?
Thanks for your time answering all my questions and have a great day!
Dee




Dear Dee, thank you for your question.  I'm not sure which specific study you saw mentioned on the news, but there was a recent report in the journal Circulation that dealt with an ECG abnormality called t-wave alternans, but this study was performed on guinea pigs.  I will try to find the article that you saw mentioned and write back under this same posting.  
In the meantime, I'll elaborate about non-specific t-wave abnormalities.  The surface ECG can be non-specific meaning that ECG abnormalities don't always coincide with true clinical problems.  There are many causes for t-wave changes including certain medications and a normal ECG variant seen in young people.  Also, your symptoms of dizziness may not necessarily be related to the t-wave changes on your ECG.  There are congenital causes of t-wave changes, but there usually is a clinical history of cardiac disease in this setting.  I can't determine what your prognosis is and what has caused your t-wave changes, but I suggest that you seek a second opinion to clear up the confusion and give you some peace of mind.  
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck!
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
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