T wave lability: a clue for separating the good from the bad, when ugly.
Non-specific T wave abnormalities have challenged both the clinician and the insurance medical director for decades. Distinction between pathologic and physiologic T wave changes often requires costly and time-consuming diagnostic studies. The literature is reviewed on the subject of T wave manipulation by the oral administration of both potassium and glucose, introducing the concept of T wave lability. Based on this concept, a simple technique is suggested which, in many cases, can safely, expeditiously and inexpensively distinguish between organic and functional T wave changes. When employed in the investigation of asymptomatic insurance applicants with unexplained T wave abnormalities but no known cardiovascular or renal disease, this technique appears to be sufficiently reliable to classify the risk posed by non-specific T wave changes without resorting to a sophisticated, lengthy and costly cardiovascular investigation.
Harris
J C
JC
American United Life Insurance Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
D000328:Adult; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology