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Document Details : Title: Prevalence and electrocardiographic characteristics of early repolarization pattern in young teen athletes Author(s): C. De Asmundis , G. Conte , M. Levinstein , G.-B. Chierchia , J. Sieira , G. Di Giovanni , G. Baltogiannis , M.H.K. Park , A. Sarkozy , P. Brugada Journal: Acta Cardiologica Volume: 69 Issue: 1 Date: 2014 Pages: 3-6 DOI: 10.2143/AC.69.1.3011338 Abstract : Introduction: Early repolarization (ERP) is a common electrocardiographic finding. Its potential to cause cardiac arrhythmias has been hypothesized from experimental studies, but it is not known whether there is a clinical association with sudden cardiac arrest. Methods: 122 subjects (100% males; mean age: 13.5± 2.7 years) were included from a local youth soccer team in Belgium. All subjects underwent physical examination and a 12-lead ECG was taken. The main objective of the study was to evaluate early repolarization patterns and to determine its prevalence. Results: Of the 122 included subjects, 1 subject with Coumel tachycardia was excluded. The overall prevalence of ERP in our study population was 36%, with 9.1% in the inferior leads, 8.2% in the lateral leads and 18.2% both leads. A family history of sudden cardiac death (SCD) was not higher in the group of ERP (N = 3; 6.8%) compared to the non-ERP group (N = 4; 5.2%) (P = 0.713). Interestingly, incomplete right bundle-branch block (IRBBB) was significantly lower among all subjects with ERP (N = 15; 34.1%), compared to those without ERP (N = 49; 63%) (P < 0.002). Conclusion: ERP is a common finding in young teen athletes. In this population global ERP (both inferior and lateral) is more common than isolated inferior or lateral ERP. Young age might be a contributing factor in causing a more diffuse repolarization abnormality. |
