Progresses in Early Repolarization Variant Associated with Sudden Cardiac Death

Early repolarization variant is a well-recognized idiopathic electrocardiographic phenomenon,which is characterized by prominent J wave and ST-segment elevation predominantly in left precordial leads.Although early repolarization variant is generally considered benign,especially when seen in apparently healthy young individuals,its potential arrhythmogenicity has been suggested by experimental studies.A growing number of case reports indicate that,in some instances,early repolarization in inferior leads repeatedly induces idiopathic ventricular fibrillation through different mechanisms and causes sudden cardiac death,suggesting that early repolarization variant is associated with sudden cardiac death.This review summarizes the current knowledge concerning early repolarization variant associated with sudden cardiac death.