Chatterjee phenomenon – Cardiology MCQ – Answer

Chatterjee phenomenon is:
Correct answer: c) Post pacing T wave inversion
Post pacing T inversion has been called Chatterjee phenomenon. In the original article by Kanu Chatterjee and associates [1] they found significant ST depression and T wave inversion persisting after discontinuation of pacing. They noted that the mere presence of the lead in the ventricle or atrial pacing did not produce these changes. They also excluded a recent Stokes Adam attack as the cause of the ST-T changes in their cases. Only depolarization of the ventricles from an abnormal site was deemed to be the cause of these changes.
Cardiac memory has been postulated as a mechanism of these changes by other authors as well [2].  Similar changes have also been reported after intermittent left bundle branch block, intermittent preexcitation and episodes of tachycardia (post tachycardia syndrome).
References

1. Chatterjee K, Harris A, Davies G, Leatham A. Electrocardiographic changes subsequent to artificial ventricular depolarization. Br Heart J. 1969 31:770-9.
2. Gautschi O, Naegeli B. Cardiac memory mimicking myocardial ischaemia.  J R Soc Med. 2003; 96: 131–132.

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