Susanne Glasius Tischer1, Claus Graff2, Christina Ellervik3, Eva Prescott4, Jørgen K Kanters5, Hanne Kruuse Rasmusen4. 1. Department of Cardiology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, Copenhagen NV, Denmark. Electronic address: susanne@glasius.dk. 2. Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7 C1-202, Aalborg, Denmark. 3. Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Production, Research and Innovation, Region Sjælland, Sorø, Denmark; Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, USA. 4. Department of Cardiology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, Copenhagen NV, Denmark. 5. Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, BMI 10.5 Panum, Blegdamsvej 3C, Copenhagen N, Denmark.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Interpreting repolarization changes in the electrocardiograms of athletes present a clinical challenge. AIM: Assessment of cardiac repolarization by T-wave morphology using the Morphology Combination Score (MCS), and evaluate how this quantitative description of T-wave morphology was influenced by the sport performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Digital electrocardiograms of 469 young elite athletes were analyzed for T-wave asymmetry, flatness and notching, and combined in the MCS. Athletes >22years were compared to a sex-and age matched control group from the general population (N=198). RESULTS: MCS increased with increasing endurance component of the sport performed ranging from 0.79±0.15 (low) to 0.92±0.21 (high) (p<0.0001). All subcomponents of MCS were increased compared to controls. MCS was unrelated to age, sex and ECG findings of the athlete's heart. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that sport induces repolarization changes detected by T-wave morphology, and a greater level of changes is seen in athletes from high endurance sports.
INTRODUCTION: Interpreting repolarization changes in the electrocardiograms of athletes present a clinical challenge. AIM: Assessment of cardiac repolarization by T-wave morphology using the Morphology Combination Score (MCS), and evaluate how this quantitative description of T-wave morphology was influenced by the sport performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Digital electrocardiograms of 469 young elite athletes were analyzed for T-wave asymmetry, flatness and notching, and combined in the MCS. Athletes >22years were compared to a sex-and age matched control group from the general population (N=198). RESULTS:MCS increased with increasing endurance component of the sport performed ranging from 0.79±0.15 (low) to 0.92±0.21 (high) (p<0.0001). All subcomponents of MCS were increased compared to controls. MCS was unrelated to age, sex and ECG findings of the athlete's heart. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that sport induces repolarization changes detected by T-wave morphology, and a greater level of changes is seen in athletes from high endurance sports.
Authors: Sarah D Nissen; Rikke Weis; Elisabeth K Krag-Andersen; Eva M Hesselkilde; Jonas L Isaksen; Helena Carstensen; Jørgen K Kanters; Dominik Linz; Prashanthan Sanders; Charlotte Hopster-Iversen; Thomas Jespersen; Steen Pehrson; Rikke Buhl Journal: J Vet Intern Med Date: 2022-04-30 Impact factor: 3.175