Prevalence and clinical correlates of early repolarization and J wave in a large cohort of subjects without overt heart disease

Journal of Electrocardiology
Gaetano A LanzaFilippo Crea

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that early repolarization (ER) is associated with increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Early repolarization in these studies, however, was defined as J-wave (terminal QRS slurring or notching) or J-point elevation rather than typical ST-segment elevation (STE). Prevalence and characteristics of these different findings in the general population are poorly known. In this study, we assessed prevalence and correlates of STE typical of ER and of J wave in a large population of noncardiac subjects. We prospectively collected electrocardiograms of 4176 consecutive subjects without heart disease at our hospital. Early repolarization was found in 84 subjects (2.0%) and J wave in 663 (15.9%). Among ER subjects, a J wave was present in 60 (71.4%). Variables independently associated with both ER and J wave included young age, male sex, and lower heart rate. There was no increased history of symptoms (palpitations and syncope) possibly related to arrhythmias in STE or J-wave subjects. Typical ER pattern and J wave are common in noncardiac subjects, particularly in young people, and are not associated with symptoms potentially related to arrhythmias.

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Citations

Jan 25, 2016·Journal of Veterinary Cardiology : the Official Journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·E H RudlingJ Koch
Apr 2, 2013·Journal of Electrocardiology·Luigi De AmbroggiGuido De Ambroggi
Jan 15, 2013·Journal of Electrocardiology·Roberto Mollo, Gaetano A Lanza
Nov 21, 2012·Journal of Electrocardiology·Sérgio Nuno Craveiro BarraJosé Nascimento
Jul 25, 2013·Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology : the Official Journal of the International Society for Holter and Noninvasive Electrocardiology, Inc·Shlomo Stern

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