March 14, 20262 citations
Prevalence and Clinical Significance of QRS Fragmentation and Low QRS Voltages in Elite Female Football Players.
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Key Points
- To assess the prevalence and clinical significance of QRS fragmentation and low voltages in elite female football players.
- Analyzed ECGs of elite female football players
- Monitored biventricular remodelling
- Screened for cardiac pathology and adverse events
- fQRS is prevalent and associated with physiological remodelling
- fQRS does not indicate detectable cardiac pathology
- Low QRS voltage is rare, indicating potential clinical significance
Abstract
In elite female footballers, fQRS is a common ECG finding strongly associated with physiological biventricular remodelling, particularly of the right ventricle. Within the context of this screening programme, fQRS was not associated with detectable cardiac pathology or adverse events, suggesting it may represent a feature of the athlete's heart rather than underlying disease. Conversely, the extreme rarity of low QRS voltage suggests it warrants clinical suspicion if detected. These sex-specific findings provide a new reference for interpreting ECGs in this unique population.
Cite This Study
Yamagata et al. (2026) studied this question.