Electrical alternation of the T-wave: clinical and experimental evidence of its relationship with the sympathetic nervous system and with the long Q-T syndrome

Am Heart J. 1975 Jan;89(1):45-50. doi: 10.1016/0002-8703(75)90008-3.

Abstract

In a patient affected by the "long Q-T" syndrome we observed episodes of alternation of the T-wave associated with emotional or physical stresses. In anesthetized and vagotomized cats, we could reproduce both the lengthening of the Q-T interval and episodes of alternation of the T-wave by electrical stimulation of the left stellate ganglion. Our experiments provide further support on the relationships between the "long Q-T" syndrome and the sympathetic nervous system and indicate that alternation of the T-wave may depend on abrupt increases in the sympathetic discharge.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology*
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cats
  • Child
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Conduction System / physiopathology*
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Stellate Ganglion / physiology
  • Stress, Physiological / physiopathology*
  • Stress, Psychological*
  • Vagotomy