Background: Physiological cardiac remodelling in highly trained athletes may overlap with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the electrocardiogram (ECG) in differentiating between physiological and pathological remodelling. Methods: The study population consisted of 30 patients with DCM who revealed a pathogenic variant at genetic testing and 30 elite athletes with significant cardiac remodelling defined by a left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter >62 mm and/or LV ejection fraction between 45% and 50%. Results: The ECG was abnormal in 22 (73%) patients with DCM. The most common abnormalities were low voltages (n = 14, 47%), lateral T-wave inversion (TWI) (n = 6, 20%), ventricular ectopic beats (n = 5, 17%) and anterior TWI (n = 4, 13). Two athletes revealed an abnormal ECG: complete left bundle branch block (LBBB) in one case and atrial flutter in the other. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the ECG in differentiating DCM from physiological adaptation to exercise in athletes was 73% (confidence interval [CI]: 54%-88%), 93% (CI: 78%-99%) and 0.83 (CI: 0.71-0.92) respectively. Conclusions: While the ECG is usually normal in athletes exhibiting significant LV dilatation and/or systolic dysfunction, this test is often abnormal in patients with DCM harbouring a pathogenic variant. Low voltages in the limb leads and lateral TWI are the most common abnormalities.

Role of the Electrocardiogram in Differentiating Genetically Determined Dilated Cardiomyopathy from Athlete's Heart

Zaffalon, Denise;Gigli, Marta;Dal Ferro, Matteo;Merlo, Marco;Sinagra, Gianfranco;Finocchiaro, Gherardo
2022-01-01

Abstract

Background: Physiological cardiac remodelling in highly trained athletes may overlap with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the electrocardiogram (ECG) in differentiating between physiological and pathological remodelling. Methods: The study population consisted of 30 patients with DCM who revealed a pathogenic variant at genetic testing and 30 elite athletes with significant cardiac remodelling defined by a left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter >62 mm and/or LV ejection fraction between 45% and 50%. Results: The ECG was abnormal in 22 (73%) patients with DCM. The most common abnormalities were low voltages (n = 14, 47%), lateral T-wave inversion (TWI) (n = 6, 20%), ventricular ectopic beats (n = 5, 17%) and anterior TWI (n = 4, 13). Two athletes revealed an abnormal ECG: complete left bundle branch block (LBBB) in one case and atrial flutter in the other. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the ECG in differentiating DCM from physiological adaptation to exercise in athletes was 73% (confidence interval [CI]: 54%-88%), 93% (CI: 78%-99%) and 0.83 (CI: 0.71-0.92) respectively. Conclusions: While the ECG is usually normal in athletes exhibiting significant LV dilatation and/or systolic dysfunction, this test is often abnormal in patients with DCM harbouring a pathogenic variant. Low voltages in the limb leads and lateral TWI are the most common abnormalities.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Eur J Clin Investigation - 2022 - Zaffalon - Role of the electrocardiogram in differentiating genetically determined.pdf

Accesso chiuso

Tipologia: Documento in Versione Editoriale
Licenza: Copyright Editore
Dimensione 921.82 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
921.82 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Eur+J+Clin+Investigation+-+2022+-+Zaffalon+-+Role+of+the+electrocardiogram+in+differentiating+genetically+determined-Post_print.pdf

Open Access dal 02/08/2023

Tipologia: Bozza finale post-referaggio (post-print)
Licenza: Digital Rights Management non definito
Dimensione 1.51 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.51 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11368/3026044
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 3
  • Scopus 5
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 6
social impact