T-wave morphology analysis of competitive athletes

Abstract Background T-wave morphology has been shown to be more sensitive than QT and QTc interval to describe repolarization abnormalities. The electrocardiogram (ECG) performed in athletes may manifest abnormalities, including repolarization alterations. The aim of this study was to investigate th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of electrocardiology 2015-01, Vol.48 (1), p.35-42
Main Authors: Hong, L., MD, Andersen, L.J., MD, PhD, Graff, C., PhD, Vedel-Larsen, E., MScEng, Wang, F., MD, PhD, Struijk, J.J., PhD, Sogaard, P., MD, PhD, Hansen, P.R., MD, PhD, Yang, Y.Z., MD, PhD, Christiansen, M., MD, Toft, E., MD, PhD, Kanters, J.K., MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Physiological - physiology
Adult
Athlete
Athletic Performance - physiology
Cardiovascular
Competitive Behavior - physiology
Electrocardiography
Electrocardiography - methods
Heart Rate - physiology
Humans
Male
Physical Endurance - physiology
QT-interval
Repolarization
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
Sports - physiology
T-wave morphology
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Summary:Abstract Background T-wave morphology has been shown to be more sensitive than QT and QTc interval to describe repolarization abnormalities. The electrocardiogram (ECG) performed in athletes may manifest abnormalities, including repolarization alterations. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of T-wave morphology features in athletes. Methods Eighty male elite athletes, consisting of 40 Tour de France cyclists (age 27 ± 5 years), 40 soccer players (age 26 ± 6 years) and 40 healthy men (age 27 ± 5 years) were included. Results Sinus bradycardia, left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, incomplete right bundle branch block and early repolarization were documented in 25 %, 20%, 13% and 14% of athletes, respectively. ECG criteria for LV hypertrophy in 12-lead ECG were more common in cyclists (35%) than in soccer players (5%), P < 0.0001. Cyclists and soccer players had significantly longer RR interval, and repolarization features than the control group. Conclusions T-wave morphology of athletes is different from non-athletes, depending of the sport. Decreased potassium current in cardiomyocytes associated with LVH may contribute to these changes.
ISSN:0022-0736
1532-8430
DOI:10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2014.10.011