Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CCT Practice Questions and Study Guide

Myocardial ischemia occurs when there is insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle, often due to blockage or narrowing of the coronary arteries. This lack of blood flow can result in a variety of changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG) readings. One of the most recognized changes associated with myocardial ischemia is the presence of an inverted T wave.

When the heart muscle experiences ischemia, it can lead to alterations in the repolarization phase of the cardiac cycle. Specifically, the T wave, which reflects the repolarization of the ventricles, may become inverted. This is indicative of potential underlying issues such as reduced blood supply and should prompt further evaluation and consideration of the patient's cardiac health.

In contrast, other options listed do not typically indicate myocardial ischemia in the same way. A prolonged QT interval is more often linked to various metabolic disturbances or medication effects, rather than to ischemia directly. U wave prominence is more associated with conditions such as electrolyte imbalances. The presence of a delta wave is indicative of conditions like Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which relates to a different pathway of conduction and is not a result of ischemia. Thus, inverted T waves are strongly correlated with myocardial ischemia, making it