Which wave on the ECG represents ventricular repolarization?

Which wave on the ECG represents ventricular repolarization?

• A. U wave
• B. P wave
• C. QRS complex
• D. T wave

Answer: (D)

Ventricular repolarization is what happens when the ventricles reset their electrical state after contracting, and this shows up on the ECG as the T wave. It follows the QRS complex, which is ventricular depolarization and corresponds to contraction. The P wave, earlier in the tracing, represents atrial depolarization, not ventricular repolarization. The U wave, when present, is a smaller, less consistent deflection that some think reflects late or tricky aspects of repolarization, but it isn’t the primary marker of ventricular repolarization. So the T wave is the waveform that indicates the ventricles are returning to their resting state.

Ventricular repolarization is what happens when the ventricles reset their electrical state after contracting, and this shows up on the ECG as the T wave. It follows the QRS complex, which is ventricular depolarization and corresponds to contraction. The P wave, earlier in the tracing, represents atrial depolarization, not ventricular repolarization. The U wave, when present, is a smaller, less consistent deflection that some think reflects late or tricky aspects of repolarization, but it isn’t the primary marker of ventricular repolarization. So the T wave is the waveform that indicates the ventricles are returning to their resting state.