Epsilon Wave Definition
- The epsilon wave is a small positive deflection (‘blip’) buried in the end of the QRS complex.
- It is the characteristic finding in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD).
ECG Examples of Epsilon Waves
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD)
The ECG changes in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia include:
- Epsilon wave (most specific finding, seen in 30% of patients)
- T wave inversions in V1-3 (85% of patients)
- Prolonged S-wave upstroke of 55ms in V1-3 (95% of patients)
- Localised QRS widening of 110ms in V1-3
- Paroxysmal episodes of ventricular tachycardia with a LBBB morphology
ECG Examples
Example 1
12-lead ECG is a typical example of ARVD.
- Image reproduced from heartpearls.com
Prolonged S-wave upstroke in ARVD
Example 2
VT with LBBB morphology due to ARVD
Related Topics
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
- Right ventricular outflow tract VT
- ECG Exigency 008 — Sudden Syncope on the Soccer Field
References
- Corrado D, Biffi A, Basso C, Pelliccia A, Thiene G. Twelve-lead ECG in the athlete: physiological versus pathological abnormalities. Br J Sports Med 2009; 43 :669-676. [PMID: 19734501]
- Perez Diez D, Brugada J. Diagnosis and Management of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia: An article from the E-Journal of the ESC Council for Cardiology Practice, European Society of Cardiology 2008.
ECG Library Basics
LITFL Further Reading
- ECG Library Basics – Waves, Intervals, Segments and Clinical Interpretation
- ECG A to Z by diagnosis – ECG interpretation in clinical context
- ECG Exigency and Cardiovascular Curveball – ECG Clinical Cases
- 100 ECG Quiz – Self-assessment tool for examination practice
- ECG Reference SITES and BOOKS – the best of the rest
Advanced Reading
- Brady WJ, Truwit JD. Critical Decisions in Emergency and Acute Care Electrocardiography
- Surawicz B, Knilans T. Chou’s Electrocardiography in Clinical Practice: Adult and Pediatric
- Wagner GS. Marriott’s Practical Electrocardiography 12e
- Chan TC. ECG in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care
- Rawshani A. Clinical ECG Interpretation
- Mattu A. ECG’s for the Emergency Physician
- Hampton JR. The ECG In Practice, 6e
ECG LIBRARY
Electrocardiogram
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