Should stroke caregivers recognize the J wave (Osborn wave)?

Abstract

To the Editor: It is essential for stroke caregivers to be familiar with the basics of electrocardiography. A number of disorders of the brain are caused by abnormalities of cardiac rhythm: tachyarrhythmia absoluta, Morgagni-Adams-Stokes syncope, Romano-Ward syndrome, and ST changes following stroke or due to electrolyte disorders,1 to name a few. Only rarely is a J wave or Osborn wave seen in clinical practice, although this wave has been observed in the ECGs of animals and humans for more than 4 decades.2 The J wave is a deflection that …