The U waves

Created by team@ekgdx.com on Dec. 24, 2022

Let’s talk about U waves.

The U wave is a deflection (usually small) immediately following the T wave.

The U wave is usually absent. When is present, it’s best seen in V2-V3.

The U wave can be:

✅ Positive: upright with amplitude <1.5 mm.
✅ Prominent: upright with amplitude >1.5 mm.
✅ Inverted or negative. 

Positive (upright) U wave

U wave positive - EKGDX

 

Causes of prominent U wave include: hypokalemia, antiarrhythmic drugs, bradyarrhythmias, hypothermia, hypocalcemia, coronary artery disease, MI, others. 

Prominent U wave

 

Causes of inverted U wave include: myocardial ischemia, LVH, RVH, anoxic brain injuryExercise-induced inversion of the U-wave is highly predictive of significant coronary artery disease, others. 

Inverted (negative) U wave 

U wave negative - EKGDX

 

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References

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Dr. Roig

U wave