MICROVOLT T-WAVE ALTERNANS |
This test examines the standard electrocardiogram for subtle alterations in the amplitude of the "T-wave" that are not apparent to the naked eye. It is generally performed during an exercise stress test or pharmacologic stress test when the heart rate is somewhat elevated.
An abnormal result of this analysis indicates that the patient is at risk for sudden, lethal abnormal heart rhythms.
Whether or not this test is truly superior to other methods of assessing the risk of lethal heart rhythms (such as holter monitors, signal averaged electrocardiograms, electrophysiologic testing, and other clinical information) has not yet been determined.
As of the date of this writing, this test is not routinely employed in the algorithms cardiologists use to determine whether or not to institute treatment to prevent these abnormal heart rhythms.
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