Kramer T, Ventovuori V, Heinonen A, Parkkari J, Korhonen MT, Rovio A, Hoenemann JN, Möstl S, Sies W, Kaiser-Stolz C, Chilibeck P, Tanaka H, Kramer M, Rittweger J, Hautala AJ. Prevalence of electrocardiographic markers associated with myocardial fibrosis in masters athletes: a cohort study.
BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2024;
10:e001988. [PMID:
39224201 PMCID:
PMC11367365 DOI:
10.1136/bmjsem-2024-001988]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives
Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is associated with an increased predisposition to adverse cardiac events. The accumulation of high-volume and high-intensity exercise over an extended duration potentially increases the risk of MF. Specific electrocardiographic markers have been correlated with the presence of MF. This study assessed the prevalence of MF-related electrocardiographic markers in a Track and Field Master Athletics Cohort (TaFMAC).
Methods
Twelve-lead resting electrocardiograms (ECGs) were conducted on 155 athletes (90 males and 65 females) participating in the World Masters Athletics 2022. The ECG markers associated with MF, including pathological Q waves, inverted T waves, fragmented QRS complex, and prolonged QRS complex, were compared among different athletic specialities (endurance athletes n=51, sprinters n=69 and strength and power n=35).
Results
Overall, 71 instances of MF-related markers were identified from 155 ECG recordings (46%). Fragmented QRS emerged as the most common marker, with a prevalence of 29% in endurance and strength and power athletes, and 35% in sprinters. No significant group differences were observed in the prevalence of MF markers, whether analysed collectively (p=0.467) or individually (pathological Q waves p=0.367, inverted T waves p=0.309, fragmented QRS complex p=0.747 and prolonged QRS complex p=0.132).
Conclusions
The prevalence of MF markers, as determined by resting ECG, was evident in nearly half of masters athletes, irrespective of sex and sporting specialisation. These findings suggest resting ECG as a promising non-invasive method for the early identification of MF in athlete's hearts.
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