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El-Azrak M, Darar C, Boutaybi M, El Ouafi N, Bazid Z. Sudden Cardiac Death Risk Stratification of the Early Repolarization Syndrome: An Updated Review of the Literature. Curr Cardiol Rep 2023; 25:203-212. [PMID: 36763218 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01842-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Early repolarization syndrome (ERS), once thought to be innocuous, has now been shown to be responsible for ventricular arrythmias and sudden cardiac death occurrence. This review will help the clinician to identify the patients who are most at risk for arrhythmias, so that they can adopt a preventive or secondary treatment approach, either of which is still poorly defined. RECENT FINDINGS Patients at high risk are found to be particularly young men, with a personal or family history of syncope or sudden death, who have an inferolateral ER on the electrocardiogram, more elevated J-point, longer J-wave duration and wider J angle, a horizontal or descending ST segment, lower T/R ratio, and small and/or inverted waves. The association with a structural heart disease or another channelopathy potentiates this arrhythmic risk. Taken together, these parameters allow prediction of the malignancy of ER pattern with a certain reliability. Further research is however needed to develop concrete risk stratification algorithms and the therapeutic strategies taken in function of it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed El-Azrak
- Department of Cardiology, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Oujda, Morocco.
| | - Charmake Darar
- Department of Cardiology, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Mohammed Boutaybi
- Department of Cardiology, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Noha El Ouafi
- Department of Cardiology, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Oujda, Morocco.,Epidemiological Laboratory of Clinical Research and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Oujda, Mohammed First University, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Zakaria Bazid
- Department of Cardiology, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Oujda, Morocco
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2
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Cardiac Morphofunctional Characteristics of Individuals with Early Repolarization Pattern: A Literature Review. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022; 10:jcdd10010004. [PMID: 36661899 PMCID: PMC9861558 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The early repolarization pattern (ERP) is an electrocardiographic phenomenon characterized by the appearance of a distinct J-wave or J-point elevation at the terminal part of the QRS complex. ERP is associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias in susceptible individuals. The cardiac morphofunctional parameters in subjects with ERP have been characterized mainly by imaging techniques, which suggests that certain changes could be identified in the background of the electrical pathomechanism: however, in this regard, current data are often contradictory or insufficiently detailed. For clarification, a more comprehensive cardiac imaging evaluation of a large patient population is necessary. This review summarizes and analyses the data from the literature related to cardiac morphofunctional characteristics in individuals with ERP.
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Vecchiato M, Baioccato V, Adami PE, Quinto G, Foccardi G, Slanzi G, Battista F, Neunhaeuserer D, Ermolao A. Early repolarization in adolescent athletes: A gender comparison of ECG and echocardiographic characteristics. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2022; 32:1581-1591. [PMID: 36086882 PMCID: PMC9826079 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The early repolarization pattern (ERp) is an electrocardiographic finding previously associated with arrhythmic risk in adults. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of ERp in a group of adolescent athletes according to gender. Furthermore, potential associations with clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic parameters are explored. METHODS In this cross-sectional study young athletes (age < 18 years) were consecutively enrolled during the annual pre-participation evaluation, undergoing also transthoracic echocardiography assessment from January 2015 to March 2020. RESULTS The prevalence of ERp was 27% in the whole population. Athletes with ERp were more frequently men practicing endurance sports. Women with ERp showed lower heart rate at rest, greater posterior, and relative ventricular wall thickness than those without ERp. Men with ERp presented higher systolic blood pressure at peak exercise, greater septal wall thickness, and indexed left ventricular mass than those without ERp. Both genders with ERp showed increased QRS voltage and narrower QRS duration. The ERp phenotype in men was more frequently notched with higher amplitude and ascending ST segment. Women's ERp presented more frequently a slurred morphology, especially in the inferior leads, and horizontal ST slope. No differences emerged in the occurrence of arrhythmias at rest and during maximal exercise test between groups, even considering higher risk phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS ERp is an ECG finding compatible with normal cardiac adaptations to training in young athletes. ERp demonstrated gender differences regarding phenotypes previously associated with increased cardiovascular risk, not showing any differences in arrhythmias during maximal exercise test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Vecchiato
- Sports and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Clinical Network of Sports and Exercise Medicine of the Veneto RegionPadovaItaly
| | - Veronica Baioccato
- Sports and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Clinical Network of Sports and Exercise Medicine of the Veneto RegionPadovaItaly
| | - Paolo Emilio Adami
- World Athletics, Medical ManagerHealth and Science DepartmentMonacoMonaco
| | - Giulia Quinto
- Sports and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Clinical Network of Sports and Exercise Medicine of the Veneto RegionPadovaItaly
| | - Giulia Foccardi
- Sports and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Clinical Network of Sports and Exercise Medicine of the Veneto RegionPadovaItaly
| | - Giulio Slanzi
- Sports and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Clinical Network of Sports and Exercise Medicine of the Veneto RegionPadovaItaly
| | - Francesca Battista
- Sports and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Clinical Network of Sports and Exercise Medicine of the Veneto RegionPadovaItaly
| | - Daniel Neunhaeuserer
- Sports and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Clinical Network of Sports and Exercise Medicine of the Veneto RegionPadovaItaly
| | - Andrea Ermolao
- Sports and Exercise Medicine Division, Department of MedicineUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Clinical Network of Sports and Exercise Medicine of the Veneto RegionPadovaItaly
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Yakkali S, Teresa Selvin S, Thomas S, Bikeyeva V, Abdullah A, Radivojevic A, Abu Jad AA, Ravanavena A, Ravindra C, Igweonu-Nwakile EO, Ali S, Paul S, Hamid P. Why Is There an Increased Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients With Early Repolarization Syndrome? Cureus 2022; 14:e26820. [PMID: 35971350 PMCID: PMC9374281 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.26820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The last two decades have changed the viewpoint on early repolarization syndrome (ERS). The prevalence of the early repolarization pattern is variable and ranges between 3-24% depending upon age, gender, and criteria used for J-point upliftment from baseline (0.05mV vs. 1 mV). While this pattern was previously linked with a benign result, multiple recent investigations have found a link between early repolarization and Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) by causing life-threatening arrhythmias like Ventricular tachycardia/Ventricular fibrillation, a condition known as early repolarization syndrome. The syndrome falls under a broader bracket of J wave syndromes, which can be caused by early repolarization or depolarization abnormalities. The characteristics of early repolarization that are considered high risk for Sudden Cardiac Death include the amplitude of J-point upliftment from baseline ( > 0.2 mV), Inferior-lateral location of Early Repolarization pattern, and horizontal and downsloping ST-segment. Patients with symptomatic early repolarisation patterns on ECG are more likely to have repeated cardiac episodes. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) implantation and isoproterenol are the recommended treatments in symptomatic patients. On the other hand, asymptomatic patients with early repolarization patterns are prevalent and have a better outcome. Risk categorization is still obscure in asymptomatic early repolarization patterns. This traditional review outlines the known knowledge of pathophysiology behind the increased risk of sudden cardiac death, risk stratification of patients with ERS, and the treatment guidelines for patients with ERS. Further prospective studies are recommended to elucidate the exact mechanism for ventricular arrhythmogenesis in ERS patients and to risk stratifying asymptomatic patients with ERS.
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Halasz G, Cattaneo M, Piepoli M, Biagi A, Romano S, Biasini V, Villa M, Cassina T, Capelli B. Early Repolarization in Pediatric Athletes: A Dynamic Electrocardiographic Pattern With Benign Prognosis. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e020776. [PMID: 34387099 PMCID: PMC8475030 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.020776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Early repolarization pattern (ERP) is considered a common training‐related and benign ECG finding in young adult athletes. Few data exist on ERP in the pediatric athletes population. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the ERP prevalence, characteristics, and prognosis in pediatric athletes aged ≤16 years. Methods and Results Eight‐hundred eighty‐six consecutive pediatric athletes engaged in 17 different sports (mean age, 11.7±2.5 years; 7–16 years) were enrolled and prospectively evaluated with medical history, physical examination, resting and exercise ECGs, and transthoracic echocardiography during their preparticipation screening. Known cardiovascular diseases associated with sudden cardiac death was considered exclusion criteria. Athletes were followed up yearly for 4 years. The prevalence of ERP was 117 (13.2%), equally distributed in both sexes (P=0.072), irrespectively of body mass index and classification of sports. The most common ERP localizations were inferolateral and inferior leads (53.8% and 27.3%, respectively). Notching J‐point morphology was the most prevalent (70%), and rapidly ascending ST elevation (96%) was the most common ST‐segment morphology. Athletes with ERP were older (P<0.001) had lower rest and recovery heart rates (P<0.001), increased precordial and limb R‐wave voltages (P<0.001), increased R/S Sokolow index (P<0.001), and longer PR interval (P=0.006) in comparison with the athletes without ERP. Neither major cardiovascular nor arrhythmic events, nor sudden cardiac death were recorded over a median follow‐up of 4.2 years. One hundred seventeen (80.3%) athletes with ERP exhibited a persistent ERP. ERP localization and J‐point morphology changed during follow‐up in 11 (11.7%) and 17 (18%) of athletes, respectively. Conclusions ERP is common in pediatric athletes. It was mostly located in the inferolateral leads and associated with concave ascending ST segment with other training‐related ECG changes. The lack of either sudden cardiac death or cardiomyopathies linked to sudden cardiac death over follow‐up suggests that in pediatric athletes, ERP may be considered a benign training‐related ECG phenomenon with a potential dynamic pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geza Halasz
- Cardiology Department Guglielmo Da Saliceto Hospital Piacenza Italy.,Cardiology Department Cardiocentro Ticino Lugano Switzerland
| | - Mattia Cattaneo
- Cardiology Department Cardiocentro Ticino Lugano Switzerland
| | - Massimo Piepoli
- Cardiology Department Guglielmo Da Saliceto Hospital Piacenza Italy
| | - Andrea Biagi
- Cardiology Department Guglielmo Da Saliceto Hospital Piacenza Italy
| | - Silvio Romano
- Cardiology Department of Life Health & Environmental Sciences University of L'Aquila L'Aquila Italy
| | | | - Michele Villa
- Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Cardiocentro Ticino Lugano Switzerland
| | - Tiziano Cassina
- Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Cardiocentro Ticino Lugano Switzerland
| | - Bruno Capelli
- Sport and Exercise Medicine Cardiocentro Ticino Lugano Switzerland
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6
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Ji HY, Hu N, Liu R, Zhou HR, Gao WL, Quan XQ. Worldwide prevalence of early repolarization pattern in general population and physically active individuals: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e25978. [PMID: 34087840 PMCID: PMC8183793 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000025978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The early repolarization pattern (ERP) has recently been associated with cardiac events such as ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, estimates of the prevalence of ERP vary widely, especially between the general population and physically active individuals. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the worldwide prevalence of ERP in the general population and physically active individuals. METHODS We thoroughly searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases for relevant studies published until December 20, 2020. Studies in which prevalence was presented or could be estimated from eligible data were included. The pooled prevalence was analyzed using a random-effect model. RESULTS Finally, we included 29 studies (182,135 subjects) in the general population and 14 studies (8087 subjects) in the physically active individuals. The worldwide pooled prevalence of ERP in the general population was 11.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.0%-13.3%). The incidence of ERP was 17.0% and 6.2% in men and women, respectively. The prevalence was 20.9% in blacks, 13.4% in Asians, and 10.1% in Caucasians. Additionally, the prevalence of ERP in physically active individuals was 33.9% (95% CI: 25.3%-42.6%). CONCLUSION A significant difference in the worldwide prevalence of ERP is revealed in this study. The ERP is highly prevalent in men, blacks, and physically active individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rui Liu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan
| | - Hai-Rong Zhou
- Department of General Practice, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, The Affiliated Central Hospital of Shenzhen Longhua District, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei-Liang Gao
- Department of General Practice, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, The Affiliated Central Hospital of Shenzhen Longhua District, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Quan
- Department of General Practice, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, The Affiliated Central Hospital of Shenzhen Longhua District, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen, China
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Halasz G, Cattaneo M, Piepoli M, Romano S, Biasini V, Menafoglio A, Gasperetti A, Badini M, Villa M, Dall'Ara L, Roberto M, Cassina T, Capelli B. Pediatric athletes' ECG and diagnostic performance of contemporary ECG interpretation criteria. Int J Cardiol 2021; 335:40-46. [PMID: 33857542 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2021.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electrocardiographic (ECG) pre-participation screening(PPS) can prevent sudden cardiac death(SCD) but the Interpretation of the athlete's ECG is based on specific criteria addressed for adult athletes while few data exist about the pediatric athlete's ECG. We aimed to assess the features of pediatric athletes' ECG and compared the diagnostic performance of 2017 International ECG recommendation, 2010 European Society of Cardiology recommendation and 2013-Seattle criteria in detecting clinical conditions at risk of SCD. METHODS 886 consecutive pediatric athletes (mean age 11.7 ± 2.5 years; 7-16-years) were enrolled and prospectively evaluated with medical history, physical examination, resting and exercise ECG and transthoracic echocardiography during their PPS. RESULTS The most common physiological ECG patterns in pediatric athletes were isolated left ventricular hypertrophy criteria (26.9%), juvenile T-wave pattern (22%) and early repolarization pattern (13.2%). The most frequent borderline abnormalities were left axis deviation (1.8%) and right axis deviation (0.9%) while T-wave inversion (0.8%) especially located in inferior leads (0.7%) was the most prevalent abnormal findings. Seven athletes (0.79%) were diagnosed with a condition related to SCD. Compared to Seattle and ESC, the International improved ECG specificity (International = 98% ESC = 64% Seattle = 95%) with lower sensitivity (ESC and Seattle 86%vs International 57%). The false-positive rate decreases from 36% of ESC to 2.2% of International but the latter showed a higher false-negative rate(0.34%). CONCLUSION Pediatric athletes like the adult counterpart exhibit a high prevalence of ECG abnormalities mostly representing training-related ECG adaptation. The International criteria showed a lower false-positive rate but at the cost of loss of sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geza Halasz
- Cardiology Department, G. Da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy; Sport and Exercise Medicine, Cardiocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland.
| | - Mattia Cattaneo
- Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Cardiocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Massimo Piepoli
- Cardiology Department, G. Da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Silvio Romano
- Cardiology, Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Menafoglio
- Sport and Exercise Medicine, Cardiocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland; Cardiology Department, Ospedale San Giovanni Bellinzona, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Alessio Gasperetti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Heart Rhythm Center, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, Milano, Italy
| | - Matteo Badini
- Cardiology Department, Cardiocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Michele Villa
- Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Cardiocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Lorenzo Dall'Ara
- University Hospital of Modena, Anesthesiology Department, Modena, Italy
| | - Marco Roberto
- Cardiology Department, Cardiocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Tiziano Cassina
- Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Cardiocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Capelli
- Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Cardiocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland; Sport and Exercise Medicine, Cardiocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland
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8
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Abela M, Sharma S. Electrocardiographic interpretation in athletes. Minerva Cardiol Angiol 2020; 69:533-556. [PMID: 33059398 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5683.20.05331-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Participation in regular exercise of moderate intensity is associated with a plethora of systemic benefits, including a reduction in risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis; however, intensive exercise may paradoxically culminate in sudden cardiac arrest among individuals harboring arrhythmogenic substrates. The precise mechanism for arrhythmogenesis is likely multifactorial, however, surges in catecholamines, electrolyte shifts, acid-base disturbances, increased core temperature and demand myocardial ischemia are potential contributors. Although most deaths occur in middle aged and older males with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, a significant proportion also affect young athletes with inherited or congenital cardiac abnormalities. The impact of such catastrophes on society, particularly when a young high-profile athlete is affected could be considered a justified reason for identifying individuals who may be at risk. Given the rarity of deaths in young athletes, only the simplest screening test, such as the 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) may be considered to be cost effective. The ECG is effective for detecting serious electrical diseases in young athletes such as congenital electrical accessory pathways and ion channel diseases but can also identify athletes with potential life-threatening structural diseases such as hypertrophic and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. One of the concerns about ECG screening is that regular intensive exercise results in several physiological alterations in cardiac structure and function that are reflected on the athlete's ECG. Sinus bradycardia, first-degree atrioventricular block, incomplete right bundle branch block, minor J-point elevation and large QRS voltages are common. Conversely, some repolarization anomalies affecting the ST segment, T waves and QT interval may overlap with patterns observed in patients with serious cardiac diseases. The situation is complicated further because age, sex and ethnicity of the athletes also influence the ECG and there is a risk that erroneous interpretation could have serious consequences. This review will describe the normal electrical patterns of the "athlete's heart" and provide insights into differentiation physiological electrical patterns from those observed in serious cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Abela
- Department of Cardiology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta - .,Malta Medical School, University of Malta, Msida, Malta - .,St. George's University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, St George's University, London, UK -
| | - Sanjay Sharma
- St. George's University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, St George's University, London, UK
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9
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Ozo U, Sharma S. The Impact of Ethnicity on Cardiac Adaptation. Eur Cardiol 2020; 15:e61. [PMID: 32944090 DOI: 10.15420/ecr.2020.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Regular intensive exercise is associated with a plethora of electrical, structural and functional adaptations within the heart to promote a prolonged and sustained increase in cardiac output. Bradycardia, increased cardiac dimensions, enhanced ventricular filling, augmentation of stroke volume and high peak oxygen consumption are recognised features of the athlete's heart. The type and magnitude of these adaptations to physical exercise are governed by age, sex, ethnicity, sporting discipline and intensity of sport. Some athletes, particularly those of African or Afro-Caribbean (black) origin reveal changes that overlap with diseases implicated in sudden cardiac death. In such instances, erroneous interpretation has potentially serious consequences ranging from unfair disqualification to false reassurance. This article focuses on ethnic variation in the physiological cardiac adaption to exercise.
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10
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Sharma S, Drezner JA, Baggish A, Papadakis M, Wilson MG, Prutkin JM, La Gerche A, Ackerman MJ, Borjesson M, Salerno JC, Asif IM, Owens DS, Chung EH, Emery MS, Froelicher VF, Heidbuchel H, Adamuz C, Asplund CA, Cohen G, Harmon KG, Marek JC, Molossi S, Niebauer J, Pelto HF, Perez MV, Riding NR, Saarel T, Schmied CM, Shipon DM, Stein R, Vetter VL, Pelliccia A, Corrado D. International recommendations for electrocardiographic interpretation in athletes. Eur Heart J 2019; 39:1466-1480. [PMID: 28329355 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehw631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of mortality in athletes during sport. A variety of mostly hereditary, structural, or electrical cardiac disorders are associated with SCD in young athletes, the majority of which can be identified or suggested by abnormalities on a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Whether used for diagnostic or screening purposes, physicians responsible for the cardiovascular care of athletes should be knowledgeable and competent in ECG interpretation in athletes. However, in most countries a shortage of physician expertise limits wider application of the ECG in the care of the athlete. A critical need exists for physician education in modern ECG interpretation that distinguishes normal physiological adaptations in athletes from distinctly abnormal findings suggestive of underlying pathology. Since the original 2010 European Society of Cardiology recommendations for ECG interpretation in athletes, ECG standards have evolved quickly over the last decade; pushed by a growing body of scientific data that both tests proposed criteria sets and establishes new evidence to guide refinements. On 26-27 February 2015, an international group of experts in sports cardiology, inherited cardiac disease, and sports medicine convened in Seattle, Washington, to update contemporary standards for ECG interpretation in athletes. The objective of the meeting was to define and revise ECG interpretation standards based on new and emerging research and to develop a clear guide to the proper evaluation of ECG abnormalities in athletes. This statement represents an international consensus for ECG interpretation in athletes and provides expert opinion-based recommendations linking specific ECG abnormalities and the secondary evaluation for conditions associated with SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Sharma
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St George's, University of London, UK
| | - Jonathan A Drezner
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Aaron Baggish
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusettes General Hospital, MA, USA
| | - Michael Papadakis
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St George's, University of London, UK
| | - Mathew G Wilson
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar
| | - Jordan M Prutkin
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andre La Gerche
- Department of Cardiology, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael J Ackerman
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, MN, USA
| | - Mats Borjesson
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Jack C Salerno
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Irfan M Asif
- Department of Family Medicine, University of South Carolina, Greenville, SC, USA
| | - David S Owens
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eugene H Chung
- Division of Cardiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, NC, USA
| | - Michael S Emery
- Center of Cardiovascular Care in Athletics, Indiana University School of Medicine, IN, USA
| | | | - Hein Heidbuchel
- Department of Cardiology, Arrhythmology Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department of Cardiology, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carmen Adamuz
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar
| | | | - Gordon Cohen
- Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, CA, USA
| | - Kimberly G Harmon
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Silvana Molossi
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, TX, USA
| | - Josef Niebauer
- University Institute of Sports Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Austria
| | - Hank F Pelto
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marco V Perez
- Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Nathan R Riding
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar
| | - Tess Saarel
- Pediatric Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic, OH, USA
| | | | - David M Shipon
- Heart Center of Philadelphia, Jefferson University Hospitals, PA, USA
| | - Ricardo Stein
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital de Clinicas de Porte Allegre, Brazil
| | | | | | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua Medical School, Italy
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11
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Haïssaguerre M, Nademanee K, Hocini M, Cheniti G, Duchateau J, Frontera A, Sacher F, Derval N, Denis A, Pambrun T, Dubois R, Jaïs P, Benoist D, Walton RD, Nogami A, Coronel R, Potse M, Bernus O. Depolarization versus repolarization abnormality underlying inferolateral J-wave syndromes: New concepts in sudden cardiac death with apparently normal hearts. Heart Rhythm 2019; 16:781-790. [PMID: 30391571 PMCID: PMC6486498 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2018.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Early repolarization indicates a distinct electrocardiographic phenotype affecting the junction between the QRS complex and the ST segment in inferolateral leads (inferolateral J-wave syndromes). It has been considered a benign electrocardiographic variant for decades, but recent clinical studies have demonstrated its arrhythmogenicity in a small subset, supported by experimental studies showing transmural dispersion of repolarization. Here we review the current knowledge and the issues of risk stratification that limit clinical management. In addition, we report on new mapping data of patients refractory to pharmacologic treatment using high-density electrogram mapping at the time of inscription of J wave. These data demonstrate that distinct substrates, delayed depolarization, and abnormal early repolarization underlie inferolateral J-wave syndromes, with significant implications. Finally, based on these data, we propose a new simplified mechanistic classification of sudden cardiac deaths without apparent structural heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Haïssaguerre
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France; IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, U1045, Bordeaux, France.
| | | | - Mélèze Hocini
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France; IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, U1045, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Josselin Duchateau
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France; IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, U1045, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Frédéric Sacher
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France; IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, U1045, Bordeaux, France
| | - Nicolas Derval
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France; IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, U1045, Bordeaux, France
| | - Arnaud Denis
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France; IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, U1045, Bordeaux, France
| | - Thomas Pambrun
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France; IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, U1045, Bordeaux, France
| | - Rémi Dubois
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, U1045, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pierre Jaïs
- Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France; IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, U1045, Bordeaux, France
| | - David Benoist
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, U1045, Bordeaux, France
| | - Richard D Walton
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, U1045, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Ruben Coronel
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mark Potse
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France
| | - Olivier Bernus
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, U1045, Bordeaux, France
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12
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Trenkwalder T, Rübsamen N, Schmitt VH, Arnold N, Kaess BM, Sinning CR, Zeller T, Beutel ME, Schmidtmann I, Nickels S, Pfeiffer N, Leuschner A, Münzel T, Lackner KJ, Hengstenberg C, Blankenberg S, Wild PS, Reinhard W, Schnabel R. Left ventricular geometry and function in early repolarization: results from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study. Clin Res Cardiol 2019; 108:1107-1116. [DOI: 10.1007/s00392-019-01445-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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13
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Reinhard W, Trenkwalder T, Haller B, Meindl C, Schoenfeld J, Kaess BM, Hengstenberg C, Schunkert H, Pressler A, Halle M, Scherr J. The early repolarization pattern: Echocardiographic characteristics in elite athletes. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2018; 24:e12617. [PMID: 30427098 DOI: 10.1111/anec.12617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The electrocardiographic early repolarization (ER) pattern is associated with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation and increased long-term cardiovascular mortality. Whether structural cardiac aberrations influence the phenotype is unclear. Since ER is particularly common in athletes, we evaluated its prevalence and investigated predisposing echocardiographic characteristics and cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in a cohort of elite athletes. METHODS A total of 623 elite athletes (age 21 ± 5 years) were examined during annual preparticipation screening from 2006 until 2012 including electrocardiography, echocardiography, and exercise testing. ECGs were analyzed with focus on ER. All athletes participated in a clinical follow-up. RESULTS The prevalence of ER was 17% (108/623). ER-positive athletes were predominantly male (71%, 77/108), showed a lower heart rate (57.1 ± 9.3 bpm versus 60.0 ± 11.2 bpm; p = 0.015) and a higher lean body mass compared to ER-negative participants (88.1% ± 5.6% versus 86.5% ± 6.3%; p = 0.015). Echocardiographic measurements and cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in male and female athletes with and without ER largely showed similar results. Only the notching ER subtype (n = 15) was associated with an increased left atrial diameter (OR 7.01, 95%CI 1.65-29.83; p = 0.008), a higher left ventricular mass (OR 1.02, 95%CI 1.00-1.03; p = 0.038) and larger relative heart volume (OR 1.01, 95%CI 1.00-1.01; p = 0.01). During a follow-up of 7.4 ± 1.5 years, no severe cardiovascular event occurred in the study sample. CONCLUSIONS In elite athletes presence of ER is not associated with distinct alterations in echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise. Athletes presenting with ER are rather male, lean with a low heart rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wibke Reinhard
- Klinik für Herz- und Kreislauferkrankungen, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Teresa Trenkwalder
- Klinik für Herz- und Kreislauferkrankungen, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bernhard Haller
- Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Statistik und Epidemiologie, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Meindl
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Julia Schoenfeld
- Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Herz- und Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK) e.V. (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Bernhard M Kaess
- Klinik für Herz- und Kreislauferkrankungen, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Medizinische Klinik I, St. Josefs-Hospital, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Christian Hengstenberg
- Klinik für Herz- und Kreislauferkrankungen, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Herz- und Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK) e.V. (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany.,Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heribert Schunkert
- Klinik für Herz- und Kreislauferkrankungen, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Herz- und Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK) e.V. (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Axel Pressler
- Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Halle
- Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Herz- und Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK) e.V. (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Scherr
- Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Herz- und Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK) e.V. (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
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14
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Prevalence of early repolarization pattern and its association with sudden cardiac death and arrhythmia over one-year follow-up in an Egyptian cohort. Egypt Heart J 2018; 70:315-321. [PMID: 30591749 PMCID: PMC6303277 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehj.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives Early repolarization pattern (ERP) is not uncommon electrocardiography (ECG) finding and could be associated with arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD). We aimed to prospectively determine the prevalence of ERP and its association with arrhythmia and SCD during one-year follow-up in an outpatient Egyptian cohort. Methods Clinical assessment and ECG were performed to 1850 consecutive individuals presented at the outpatient clinic of Suez Canal University Hospital (SCUH). Then, the ERP group and 100 age and gender-matched ERP −ve controls had undergone echocardiography, 24-h Holter ECG and exercise stress ECG. Results ERP was found in 124 individuals (6.7%); we excluded 24 patients with structural heart disease. ERP group (No. = 100) were relatively young (80% <50 years-old) and showed male preponderance (60%). ERP frequencies were: inferolateral (50%), antero-lateral (38%), inferior (10%), and global (2%). ERP subjects were leaner than controls (BMI was 25.3 vs. 30 kg/m2, P value < 0.001) and achieved more metabolic equivalents (METS) on stress ECG (10.7 vs. 8.5 METS, P value < 0.01). Only 4% in the ERP group had horizontal/descending ST slope, while 8% had ST elevation ≥ 2 ms. No arrhythmia or SCD were reported during 1-year follow-up in both groups. Regression analysis showed that male gender, Sokolow-Lyon criteria and short QTc were significant independent predictors of ERP, P value < 0.05. Conclusions In outpatient-based Egyptian cohort, the prevalence of ERP was 6.7%, mostly the inferolateral pattern. Our ERP subjects had low-risk clinical and ECG criteria for malignant ERP. Further epidemiological studies are needed to explore the natural history of ERP.
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15
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Marzlin KM. Early Repolarization: From Benign Variant to Marker of Risk. AACN Adv Crit Care 2017; 28:297-300. [DOI: 10.4037/aacnacc2017383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karen M. Marzlin
- Karen M. Marzlin is Cardiology APRN, Aultman Hospital, Canton, Ohio, and Business Owner/Author/Educator/Consultant, Key Choice/Cardiovascular Nursing Education Associates, 4565 Venus Rd, Uniontown, OH 44685
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16
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Sharma S, Drezner JA, Baggish A, Papadakis M, Wilson MG, Prutkin JM, La Gerche A, Ackerman MJ, Borjesson M, Salerno JC, Asif IM, Owens DS, Chung EH, Emery MS, Froelicher VF, Heidbuchel H, Adamuz C, Asplund CA, Cohen G, Harmon KG, Marek JC, Molossi S, Niebauer J, Pelto HF, Perez MV, Riding NR, Saarel T, Schmied CM, Shipon DM, Stein R, Vetter VL, Pelliccia A, Corrado D. International Recommendations for Electrocardiographic Interpretation in Athletes. J Am Coll Cardiol 2017; 69:1057-1075. [PMID: 28231933 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2017.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of mortality in athletes during sport. A variety of mostly hereditary, structural, or electrical cardiac disorders are associated with SCD in young athletes, the majority of which can be identified or suggested by abnormalities on a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Whether used for diagnostic or screening purposes, physicians responsible for the cardiovascular care of athletes should be knowledgeable and competent in ECG interpretation in athletes. However, in most countries a shortage of physician expertise limits wider application of the ECG in the care of the athlete. A critical need exists for physician education in modern ECG interpretation that distinguishes normal physiological adaptations in athletes from distinctly abnormal findings suggestive of underlying pathology. Since the original 2010 European Society of Cardiology recommendations for ECG interpretation in athletes, ECG standards have evolved quickly over the last decade; pushed by a growing body of scientific data that both tests proposed criteria sets and establishes new evidence to guide refinements. On February 26-27, 2015, an international group of experts in sports cardiology, inherited cardiac disease, and sports medicine convened in Seattle, Washington, to update contemporary standards for ECG interpretation in athletes. The objective of the meeting was to define and revise ECG interpretation standards based on new and emerging research and to develop a clear guide to the proper evaluation of ECG abnormalities in athletes. This statement represents an international consensus for ECG interpretation in athletes and provides expert opinion-based recommendations linking specific ECG abnormalities and the secondary evaluation for conditions associated with SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Sharma
- Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group, St George's University of London, United Kingdom.
| | - Jonathan A Drezner
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Aaron Baggish
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael Papadakis
- Cardiology Clinical and Academic Group, St George's University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew G Wilson
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar
| | - Jordan M Prutkin
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Andre La Gerche
- Department of Cardiology, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael J Ackerman
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Mats Borjesson
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Jack C Salerno
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Irfan M Asif
- Department of Family Medicine, University of South Carolina, Greenville, South Carolina
| | - David S Owens
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Eugene H Chung
- Division of Cardiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Michael S Emery
- Center of Cardiovascular Care in Athletics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Hein Heidbuchel
- Department of Cardiology, Arrhythmology Hasselt University, Belgium; Department of Cardiology, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carmen Adamuz
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar
| | | | - Gordon Cohen
- Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Kimberly G Harmon
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Silvana Molossi
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Josef Niebauer
- University Institute of Sports Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Austria
| | - Hank F Pelto
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Marco V Perez
- Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Nathan R Riding
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar
| | - Tess Saarel
- Pediatric Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | - David M Shipon
- Heart Center of Philadelphia, Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ricardo Stein
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital de Clinicas de Porte Allegre, Brazil
| | | | | | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua Medical School, Italy
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17
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Drezner JA, Sharma S, Baggish A, Papadakis M, Wilson MG, Prutkin JM, Gerche AL, Ackerman MJ, Borjesson M, Salerno JC, Asif IM, Owens DS, Chung EH, Emery MS, Froelicher VF, Heidbuchel H, Adamuz C, Asplund CA, Cohen G, Harmon KG, Marek JC, Molossi S, Niebauer J, Pelto HF, Perez MV, Riding NR, Saarel T, Schmied CM, Shipon DM, Stein R, Vetter VL, Pelliccia A, Corrado D. International criteria for electrocardiographic interpretation in athletes: Consensus statement. Br J Sports Med 2017; 51:704-731. [PMID: 28258178 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of mortality in athletes during sport. A variety of mostly hereditary, structural or electrical cardiac disorders are associated with SCD in young athletes, the majority of which can be identified or suggested by abnormalities on a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Whether used for diagnostic or screening purposes, physicians responsible for the cardiovascular care of athletes should be knowledgeable and competent in ECG interpretation in athletes. However, in most countries a shortage of physician expertise limits wider application of the ECG in the care of the athlete. A critical need exists for physician education in modern ECG interpretation that distinguishes normal physiological adaptations in athletes from distinctly abnormal findings suggestive of underlying pathology. Since the original 2010 European Society of Cardiology recommendations for ECG interpretation in athletes, ECG standards have evolved quickly, advanced by a growing body of scientific data and investigations that both examine proposed criteria sets and establish new evidence to guide refinements. On 26-27 February 2015, an international group of experts in sports cardiology, inherited cardiac disease, and sports medicine convened in Seattle, Washington (USA), to update contemporary standards for ECG interpretation in athletes. The objective of the meeting was to define and revise ECG interpretation standards based on new and emerging research and to develop a clear guide to the proper evaluation of ECG abnormalities in athletes. This statement represents an international consensus for ECG interpretation in athletes and provides expert opinion-based recommendations linking specific ECG abnormalities and the secondary evaluation for conditions associated with SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Drezner
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sanjay Sharma
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Aaron Baggish
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, US
| | - Michael Papadakis
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Mathew G Wilson
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jordan M Prutkin
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Andre La Gerche
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael J Ackerman
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Paediatric, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mats Borjesson
- Department of Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg, Sweden.,Department of Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra Sahlgrenska Academy, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Jack C Salerno
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, US
| | - Irfan M Asif
- Department of Family Medicine, University of South Carolina, Greenville, USA
| | - David S Owens
- Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eugene H Chung
- Division of Cardiology, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael S Emery
- Center of Cardiovascular Care in Athletics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | | | - Carmen Adamuz
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Gordon Cohen
- Division of Paediatric Surgery, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA.,Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kimberly G Harmon
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Silvana Molossi
- Division of Pediatric, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Josef Niebauer
- University Institute of Sports Medicine, Research Institute of Molecular Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Hank F Pelto
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Marco V Perez
- Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Nathan R Riding
- Department of Sports Medicine, ASPETAR, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tess Saarel
- Department of Pediatrics, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - David M Shipon
- Heart Centre of Philadelphia, Jefferson University Hospitals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ricardo Stein
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Victoria L Vetter
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac Science, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy.,Department of Thoracic Sciences, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy.,Department of Vascular Sciences, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy
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18
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Martin-Beaulieu JP, Myrick KM, Martin T, Pata RW, Feinn RS. Common electrocardiogram variations pre- and post-marathon. Clin Case Rep 2016; 4:944-947. [PMID: 27761243 PMCID: PMC5054467 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrocardiographic changes can be present in marathon runners. These findings may be misinterpreted as malignant by healthcare providers. For example, incomplete right bundle branch block, early ventricular repolarization, and left ventricular hypertrophy by voltage criteria alone are quite common in athletes, yet considered benign.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Martin-Beaulieu
- Department of Nursing Quinnipiac University North Haven Campus, 370 Bassett Rd - Room 470M North Haven Connecticut 06473 USA
| | - Karen M Myrick
- Department of Nursing Joint Appointment Frank Netter School of Medicine Quinnipiac University North Haven Campus, 370 Bassett Rd - Room 470M North Haven Connecticut 06473 USA
| | - Thomas Martin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences Quinnipiac University North Haven Campus, 370 Bassett Rd - Room 270G North Haven Connecticut 06473 USA
| | - Rachel W Pata
- Department of Physical Therapy Quinnipiac University North Haven Campus, 370 Bassett Rd - Room 300B North Haven Connecticut 06473 USA
| | - Richard S Feinn
- Department of Medical Sciences Quinnipiac University North Haven Campus, 370 Bassett Rd - Room 307F North Haven Connecticut 06473 USA
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19
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O'Neal WT, Wang Y(G, Wu HT, Zhang ZM, Li Y, Tereshchenko LG, Estes EH, Daubechies I, Soliman EZ. Electrocardiographic J Wave and Cardiovascular Outcomes in the General Population (from the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study). Am J Cardiol 2016; 118:811-815. [PMID: 27596326 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2016.06.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The association between the J wave, a key component of the early repolarization pattern, and adverse cardiovascular outcomes remains unclear. Inconsistencies have stemmed from the different methods used to measure the J wave. We examined the association between the J wave, detected by an automated method, and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in 14,592 (mean age = 54 ± 5.8 years; 56% women; 26% black) participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study. The J wave was detected at baseline (1987 to 1989) and during follow-up study visits (1990 to 1992, 1993 to 1995, and 1996 to 1998) using a fully automated method. Sudden cardiac death, coronary heart disease death, and cardiovascular mortality were ascertained from hospital discharge records, death certificates, and autopsy data through December 31, 2010. A total of 278 participants (1.9%) had evidence of a J wave. Over a median follow-up of 22 years, 4,376 of the participants (30%) died. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusted for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and potential confounders, the J wave was not associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.74, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.50), coronary heart disease death (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.32), or cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.16, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.56). An interaction was detected for cardiovascular mortality by gender with men (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.19) having a stronger association than women (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.25; P-interaction = 0.030). In conclusion, our findings suggest that the J wave is a benign entity that is not associated with an increased risk for sudden cardiac arrest in middle-aged adults in the United States.
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20
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Chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia attenuates radiation induced heart damage in rats. Life Sci 2016; 160:57-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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21
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Aagaard
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH
| | - Bryan Baranowski
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH
| | - Peter Aziz
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH
| | - Dermot Phelan
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH
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22
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Abstract
The early repolarisation (ER) pattern is a common ECG finding. Most individuals with the ER pattern are at minimal risk for arrhythmic events. In others, ER increases the arrhythmic risk of underlying cardiac pathology. Rarely ER syndrome will manifest as a primary arrhythmogenic disorder causing ventricular fibrillation (VF). ER syndrome is defined as syncope attributed to ventricular arrhythmias or cardiac arrest attributed to ER following systematic exclusion of other etiologies. Some ECG features associated with ER portend a higher risk. However, clinically useful risk-stratifying tools to identify the asymptomatic patient at high risk are lacking. Patients with asymptomatic ER and no family history of malignant ER should be reassured. All patients with ER should continue to have modifiable cardiac risk factors addressed. Symptomatic patients should be systematically investigated, directed by symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew D Krahn
- The Division of Cardiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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23
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Cardiovascular adaptation in athletes. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2016; 26:53-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2015.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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24
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Biasco L, Cristoforetti Y, De Backer O, Castagno D, Giustetto C, Orzan F, Gaita F. Early repolarization. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2016; 17:4-10. [DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0000000000000276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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25
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Calore C, Zorzi A, Sheikh N, Nese A, Facci M, Malhotra A, Zaidi A, Schiavon M, Pelliccia A, Sharma S, Corrado D. Electrocardiographic anterior T-wave inversion in athletes of different ethnicities: differential diagnosis between athlete's heart and cardiomyopathy. Eur Heart J 2015; 37:2515-27. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehv591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
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Ali A, Butt N, Sheikh AS. Early repolarization syndrome: A cause of sudden cardiac death. World J Cardiol 2015; 7:466-75. [PMID: 26322186 PMCID: PMC4549780 DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v7.i8.466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Early repolarization syndrome (ERS), demonstrated as J-point elevation on an electrocardiograph, was formerly thought to be a benign entity, but the recent studies have demonstrated that it can be linked to a considerable risk of life - threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Early repolarization characteristics associated with SCD include high - amplitude J-point elevation, horizontal and/or downslopping ST segments, and inferior and/or lateral leads location. The prevalence of ERS varies between 3% and 24%, depending on age, sex and J-point elevation (0.05 mV vs 0.1 mV) being the main determinants. ERS patients are sporadic and they are at a higher risk of having recurrent cardiac events. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation and isoproterenol are the suggested therapies in this set of patients. On the other hand, asymptomatic patients with ERS are common and have a better prognosis. The risk stratification in asymptomatic patients with ERS still remains a grey area. This review provides an outline of the up-to-date evidence associated with ERS and the risk of life - threatening arrhythmias. Further prospective studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmogenesis in patients with ERS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdi Ali
- Abdi Ali, Nida Butt, Core Medical Trainees, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham, Wales LL13 7TZ, United Kingdom
| | - Nida Butt
- Abdi Ali, Nida Butt, Core Medical Trainees, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham, Wales LL13 7TZ, United Kingdom
| | - Azeem S Sheikh
- Abdi Ali, Nida Butt, Core Medical Trainees, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham, Wales LL13 7TZ, United Kingdom
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Tikkanen J, Huikuri H. Characteristics of “malignant” vs. “benign” electrocardiographic patterns of early repolarization. J Electrocardiol 2015; 48:390-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2014.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Pelliccia A, Quattrini FM. Clinical significance of J-wave in elite athletes. J Electrocardiol 2015; 48:385-9. [PMID: 25796101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2015.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Evolving interpretation of the athlete's electrocardiogram: From European Society of Cardiology and Stanford criteria, to Seattle criteria and beyond. J Electrocardiol 2015; 48:283-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2015.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Zorzi A, Leoni L, Di Paolo FM, Rigato I, Migliore F, Bauce B, Pelliccia A, Corrado D. Differential diagnosis between early repolarization of athlete's heart and coved-type Brugada electrocardiogram. Am J Cardiol 2015; 115:529-32. [PMID: 25549881 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2014.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Early repolarization (ER) is typically observed in highly trained athletes as a physiologic consequence of increased vagal tone. The variant of anterior (V1 to V3) ER characterized by "domed" ST-segment elevation and negative T wave raises problems of differential diagnosis with the "coved-type" electrocardiographic pattern seen in Brugada syndrome (BS). This study was designed to identify electrocardiographic criteria for distinguishing athlete's ER from BS. The study compared the electrocardiographic tracings of 61 healthy athletes (80% men, median age 23 ± 8 years), showing "domed" ST-segment elevation and negative T wave in leads V1 to V3, with those of 92 consecutive age- and sex-matched BS patients with a "coved-type" electrocardiographic pattern. The electrocardiographic analysis focused on the ST-segment elevation at J point (STJ) and at 80 milliseconds after J point (ST₈₀). Athletes had a lower maximum amplitude of STJ (1.46 ± 0.7 vs 3.25 ± 0.6 mm, p <0.001) and lower STJ/ST₈₀ (0.8 ± 0.3 vs 1.6 ± 0.3, p <0.001). All patients (100%) with BS showed a downsloping ST-segment configuration (STJ/ST₈₀ >1) versus only 2 (3%) athletes (p <0.001). An upsloping ST-segment configuration (STJ/ST₈₀ <1) showed a sensitivity of 97%, a specificity of 100%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 98.7% for the diagnosis of ER. At multivariate analysis, STJ/ST₈₀ ratio remained the only independent predictor for ER (odds ratio 87, 95% confidence interval 19 to 357, p <0.001). In conclusion, the STJ/ST₈₀ ratio is a highly accurate electrocardiographic parameter for differential diagnosis between anterior ER of the athlete and BS. Our results may help in reducing the number of athletes who undergo expensive diagnostic workup or are unnecessarily disqualified from competition for changes that fall within the normal range of athlete's heart.
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Sethi KK, Sethi K, Chutani SK. J Wave Syndrome: Clinical Diagnosis, Risk Stratification and Treatment. J Atr Fibrillation 2014; 7:1173. [PMID: 27957139 DOI: 10.4022/jafib.1173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Revised: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
J wave syndrome has emerged from a benign electrocardiographic abnormality to a proarrythmic state and a significant cause of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation responsible for sudden cardiac death. Electrical genesis, genetics and ionic mechanisms of J wave syndromes are active areas of research. Typically two of these viz., Early repolarization syndrome (ER) and Brugada syndrome (BrS) are fairly well characterized enabling correct diagnosis in most patients. In early repolarization syndrome, J waves are seen in inferior (2,3, avF) or lateral leads (V4, V5, V6), while in Brugada syndrome they are best seen in right precordial leads (V1-V3). The first part of repolarization of ventricular myocardium is governed by Ito current i.e., rapid outward potassium current. The proposed mechanism of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) storms is faster Ito current in the epicardium than in the endocardium resulting in electrical gradient that forms the substrate for phase 2 re-entry. Prevention of Ito current with quinidine supports this mechanism. Morphological features of benign variety of J wave syndrome and malignant/ proarrythmic variety have now been fairly well characterized. J waves are very common in young, athletes and blacks; risk stratification for VF/sudden cardiac death (SCD) is not easy. Association of both ER syndrome and Brugada syndrome with other disease states like coronary artery disease is being reported frequently. Those with ECG abnormality as the only manifestation are difficult to manage. Certain ECG patterns are more proarrythmic. Individuals resuscitated from VF definitely need an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) but in others there is no consensus regarding therapy. Role of electrophysiology study to provoke ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation is not yet well defined. Radiofrequency ablation of epicardial substrate in right ventricle in Brugada syndrome is reported and is also under critical evaluation. In this review we shall discuss some interesting historical features, epidemiology, electrocardiographic features, and ionic mechanisms on pathogenesis, clinical features, risk stratification and treatment issues in J wave syndromes. Brugada syndrome is not discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal K Sethi
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology, Delhi Heart and Lung Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Kabir Sethi
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology, Delhi Heart and Lung Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Surendra K Chutani
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology, Delhi Heart and Lung Institute, New Delhi, India
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