Kihlgren M, Almqvist C, Amankhani F, Jonasson L, Norman C, Perez M, Ebrahimi A, Gottfridsson C. The U-wave: A remaining enigma of the electrocardiogram.
J Electrocardiol 2023;
79:13-20. [PMID:
36907158 DOI:
10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2023.03.001]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
The U-wave's electrophysiological origin remains unknown and is subject to debate. It is rarely used for diagnosis in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to review new information regarding the U-wave. Further to present the proposed theories behind the U-wave's origin along with potential pathophysiologic and prognostic implications related to its presence, polarity and morphology.
METHOD
Literature searches were conducted to retrieve publications related to the electrocardiogram U-wave in the literature database Embase.
RESULTS
The review of the literature revealed the following major theories that will be discussed; late depolarisation, delayed or prolonged repolarisation, electro-mechanical stretch and IK1 dependent intrinsic potential differences in the terminal part of the action potential. Various pathologic conditions were found to correlate with the presence and properties of the U-wave, such as its amplitude and polarity. Abnormal U-waves can, for example, be observed in coronary artery disease with ongoing myocardial ischemia or infarction, ventricular hypertrophy, congenital heart disease, primary cardiomyopathy and valvular defects. Negative U-waves are highly specific for the presence of heart diseases. Concordantly negative T- and U-waves are especially associated with cardiac disease. Patients with negative U-waves tend to have higher blood pressure and history of hypertension, higher heart rate, cardiac disease and left ventricular hypertrophy compared to subjects with normal U-waves. Negative U-waves have been found to be associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, cardiac death and cardiac hospitalisation in men.
CONCLUSIONS
The origin of the U-wave is still not established. U-wave diagnostics may reveal cardiac disorders and the cardiovascular prognosis. Including the U-wave characteristics in the clinical ECG assessment may be useful.
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