Cardiac memory phenomenon: a cause of non-ischemic T wave abnormality

Alteration in ventricular repolarization occurs during changes in ventricular activation as may occur with ventricular pacing, bundle branch block and various arrhythmias. This may result in T wave abnormalities which persist following cessation of pacing, resolution of bundle branch block or resolution of arrhythmia. Such changes may be confused with ischemia. The phenomenon, known as cardiac memory, is reviewed here in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.