Abstract des Autors

Objectives: To evaluate the spectrum of electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in 1000 junior (18 or under) elite athletes. Methods: A total of 1000 (73% male) junior elite athletes (mean(SD) age 15.7(1.4) years (range 14-18); mean(SD) body surface area 1.73(0.17) m**2 (range 1.09-2.25)) and 300 non-athletic controls matched for gender, age, and body surface area had a 12 lead ECG examination. Results: Athletes had a significantly higher prevalence of sinus bradycardia (80% v 19%; p<0.001) than non-athletes. The PR interval, QRS, and QT duration were more prolonged in athletes than non-athletes (153(20) v 140(18) milliseconds (p<0.0001), 92(12) v 89(7) milliseconds (p<0.0001), and 391(27) v 379(29) milliseconds (p=0.002) respectively). The Sokolow voltage criterion for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and the Romhilt-Estes points score for LVH was more common in athletes (45% v 23% (p<0.0001) and 10% v 0% (p<0.0001) respectively), as were criteria for left and right atrial enlargement (14% v 1.2% and 16% v 2% respectively). None of the athletes with voltage criteria for LVH had left axis deviation, ST segment depression, deep T wave inversion, or pathological Q waves. ST segment elevation was more common in athletes than non-athletes (43% v 24%; p<0.0001). Minor T wave inversion (less than -0.2 mV) in V2 and V3 was present in 4% of athletes and non-athletes. Minor T wave inversion elsewhere was absent in non-athletes and present in 0.4% of athletes. Conclusions: ECG changes in junior elite athletes are not dissimilar to those in senior athletes. Isolated Sokolow voltage criterion for LVH is common; however, associated abnormalities that indicate pathological hypertrophy are absent. Minor T wave inversions in leads other than V2 and V3 may be present in athletes and non-athletes less than 16 but should be an indication for further investigation in older athletes. Verf.-Referat