Abstract 18351: Prevalence, Clinical Significance and Relevance to Screening of Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Versus Athlete's Heart

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2012-11, Vol.126 (suppl_21)
• Main Authors: Calore, Chiara, Melacini, Paola, Pelliccia, Antonio, Cinzia, Cianfrocca, Schiavon, Maurizio, Fernando M, Di Paolo, Francesca, Bovolato, Filippo M, Quattrini, Basso, Cristina, Thiene, Gateano, Iliceto, Sabino, Corrado, Domenico
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539
• DOI: 10.1161/circ.126.suppl_21.A18351

Abstract only Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is often in the differential diagnosis with athlete’s heart due to the partial overlap of ECG and echocardiographic abnormalities. This study assessed the prevalence, clinical significance and relevance to athletic screening of ECG abnormalities in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients versus highly trained athletes. Methods: We compared the ECG tracings of 247 HCM patients (73% males, mean age 39±14 years) with those of 133 highly trained athletes with augmented left ventricular (LV) mass (87% males, mean age 27±6 years), with the same age range (15-65 years) Based on the ECG findings, HCM patients and athletes were grouped as normal ECG (Group 1), isolated increase of QRS voltage (Group 2) and abnormal ECG showing ≥1 non-voltage criteria, including atrial enlargement, QRS left axis deviation, ST-segment or T-wave abnormalities, pathologic Q waves, and complete bundle branch block, regardless of QRS amplitude (Group 3). Results: Group 1 ECG was found in 11/247 (4%) HCM patients vs 69/133 (52%) athletes (P