Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: October 1, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Differential Diagnosis for T Wave Inversion in Lead II, III, and V1-4

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Ischemic Heart Disease: T wave inversion in these leads can indicate myocardial ischemia, particularly in the context of chest pain or other symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease. The distribution of T wave inversion across leads II, III, and V1-4 may suggest involvement of the right coronary artery or left anterior descending artery.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: This condition can cause T wave inversion due to asymmetric septal hypertrophy, which may lead to abnormal repolarization patterns.
  • Pulmonary Embolism: While more commonly associated with T wave inversion in leads V1-4, pulmonary embolism can also cause T wave inversion in the inferior leads (II, III) due to right ventricular strain.
  • Cardiac Amyloidosis: This condition can lead to diffuse T wave inversion due to the deposition of amyloid fibrils in the myocardium, affecting repolarization.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS): Including myocardial infarction, which requires immediate attention. T wave inversion can be a sign of ischemia or infarction, especially if accompanied by symptoms like chest pain.
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC): A condition that affects the right ventricle and can cause T wave inversion in leads V1-4, potentially leading to life-threatening arrhythmias.
  • Brugada Syndrome: Characterized by T wave inversion in leads V1-3, which can be a marker for increased risk of sudden cardiac death due to ventricular fibrillation.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Myocardial Bridging: A condition where a portion of a coronary artery dives into and is surrounded by myocardium, which can cause ischemia and T wave inversion.
  • Left Ventricular Non-Compaction: A rare cardiomyopathy characterized by a spongy appearance of the left ventricle, which can lead to abnormal repolarization and T wave inversion.
  • Sarcoidosis: A systemic disease that can affect the heart, leading to granulomatous infiltration and potential for T wave inversion among other ECG abnormalities.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.