Epsilon waves: Milestones in the discovery and progress

Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol. 2018 Nov;23(6):e12571. doi: 10.1111/anec.12571. Epub 2018 Jul 5.

Abstract

The Epsilon wave was first identified in 1977. Four decades of progress help people to better understand its pathological electrogenesis and diagnostic value. Currently, the Epsilon wave is on the list of the 2010 Task Force recommendations for the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). In this review, we provide the history of the first recording of the Epsilon wave in coronary artery disease and Uhl's anomaly, subsequently leading to the signal averaging technique to record late potentials. Based on our experience, we discuss some existing controversies. When we look back at the decades of progress of the Epsilon wave, we conclude that the Epsilon wave is only the tip of the iceberg of ECG abnormalities in ARVD.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / diagnosis*
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / physiopathology*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / diagnosis*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / physiopathology*
  • Electrocardiography / methods*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnosis*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / physiopathology*
  • Humans

Supplementary concepts

  • Uhl anomaly