Inverted T- wave on ECG after CABG surgery

[methody]

Hello I had CABG x5 (LIMA-LAD; svg-pda; svg M3-M1-D1) surgery on September 13-th this year. I was released from Hospital yesterday, as my Surgeon told me I am in good health condition.
My family Doctor saw the ECG on the day i was released from hospital and noted that there is a negative (or inverted) T Wave on V4 V5 and V6.
Can you tell me what does it means, is this ECG normal after CABG surgery? Thank you.

[kareem_salah2000]

Thank you

[kareem_salah2000]

I think it is normal to find t wave inversion in some leads after CABG surgery

[2210485]

Especially if you are of african or middle eastern decent. :)

T Wave inversions in fact are common after any ischemic event. They are caused by a reversal in repolarization transmurally (epicardium to endocardium). It is extremely common after an mi because the epicardium, which normally repolarizes first is physiologically more vulnerable then the endocardium, despite the endocardium being the first to be effected.

[2210485]

The reason I mention african or middle eastern decent is because genetically there is a tendency for these groups to have such reversal at baseline, without any ischemia involved. So naturally one would expect more of the population to have inversions as opposed to caucasians who have their own set of genetic issues or asians with their own issues.

Medicine is probably the only field of study in which race plays a big factor. Thanks to politics and a lack of understanding involving genetics (most science courses literally skip the subject now), its becoming increasingly necessary for health professionals to be increasingly tactful and thorough in their explanations.

[ed34]

When a Cardiologist examines the printout from a 12 lead ekg, he/she takes into account ALL the waves, not just one. There are quite a number of reasons why an inverted T wave can occur, even anxiety. It can also indicate ischaemia or even an old MI. I am sure the Cardiologist would have seen this and was not concerned.