Overview of Osborn Wave, Definition, Causes, Present on ECG (Essay Sample)

OSBORN WAVE (J WAVE)
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The J wave is an electrocardiographic (ECG) finding at the junction of R and ST (also known as J-point). The J wave is observed in humans under pathophysiological or physiological conditions especially in hypothermic patients. It has also been observed in other conditions. When partly buried in the R wave, the Osborn wave appears as an ST segment elevation or a J-point elevation (Mike, 2015). Elevating the J point leads to a new wave at the terminal of the QRS complex known as the J wave. The following are examples of J waves
Causes
J wave is observed in cases of hypothermia where the body temperature is below 30 degrees Celsius. Here, the J wave is non-pathognomonic. It is also observed in other conditions such as idiopathic VF, Hypocalcaemia, severe brain injury, spinal cord injuries, Early Repolarization, Hyvergotonia, Brugada syndrome and Subarachnoid hemorrhage among others. In hypothermia, the height of the wave is more or less proportional to the degree of hypothermia (Mike, 2015).
ECG in hypothermia
The following diagram shows a slight J wave in a moderate and severe hypothermia; a temperature of 30 and less than 27 degrees Celsius respectively (Mike, 2015).
Hypothermia occurs when a patient is exposed to a cold environment. The degree of hypothermia is varied by ECG changes (Vamsee, Chetan, and Abhay, 2007, p80). There are also other causes of hypothermia such as severe diabetic ketoacidosis. ECG in mild hypothermia (32–35 degrees Celsius) rarely shows J waves. In Moderate hypothermia (28-32 degrees Celsius), J waves are present in lateral and inferior leads. An increase in QT and PR intervals increases the QRS com