A delta wave is a distinctive finding on an electrocardiogram that indicates the presence of an accessory electrical pathway in the heart, a condition known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. This extra pathway allows electrical signals to bypass the normal AV node delay, causing a portion of the ventricle to be activated early. While the delta wave itself is an ECG finding, its effects can be observed during echocardiography as abnormal patterns of ventricular contraction and altered Doppler flow timing. Sonographers performing echocardiography should be aware that patients with pre-excitation syndromes may have unusual wall motion patterns that could be confused with other cardiac abnormalities.
Sonography Term