Key result
Completion of a long-distance triathlon significantly altered ECG findings in asymptomatic athletes, with the prevalence of abnormal ECGs changing from 28.3% pre-race to 16.7% post-race (P=0.01).
Why the study?
Long-distance triathlons are increasingly popular, but emergency physicians face challenges addressing exercise-related cardiovascular complaints, prompting this evaluation of post-race ECG changes.
Does completion of a long-distance triathlon affect ECG findings in asymptomatic athletes?
Observational (n=99)
Does completion of a long-distance triathlon affect ECG findings in asymptomatic athletes?
Long-distance triathlons acutely alter ECG findings in asymptomatic athletes, highlighting the need for context-specific interpretation of ECGs in this population.
Objectives Given the increasing popularity of long-distance triathlon events among amateur athlete and the difficulty for emergency physician to address cardiovascular complaints in the context of exercise, this study aims to determine the prevalence of ECG changes after a long-distance triathlon. Methods This prospective observational study examines the prevalence of selected standard 12-lead ECG findings, the Seattle criteria, in asymptomatic athletes before and after the completion of a long-distance triathlon. Results Of 99 ECGs obtained prior to the race, 28 were abnormal, for a pre-race prevalence of 28.3% (95% CI [20.4, 37.8]). Of the 72 ECGs post-race, 12 were abnormal, for a post-race prevalence of 16.7% (95% CI [9.8, 26.9]). Common findings were increased QRS voltage significant for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (24 [24.2%] pre-race, 10 [14.1%] post-race), early repolarization (21 [21.2%] pre-race, 19 [26.8%] post-race), and incomplete right bundle branch block (RBBB) (8 [8.1%] pre-race, 11 [15.5%] post-race). McNemar's test showed no agreement between the ECG pre- and post-results (χ2 = 6.54, P = .01), suggesting a possible effect of the race on ECG findings. Conclusion Long-distance triathlon might acutely affect the ECGs findings in asymptomatic athletes, and abnormal ECG findings were common in our cohort of athletes.
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Hosatte‐Ducassy et al. (2020) conducted an observational in Asymptomatic athletes (n=99). Long-distance triathlon vs. Pre-race (baseline) was evaluated on Prevalence of abnormal ECG findings (Seattle criteria) (p=.01). Completion of a long-distance triathlon significantly altered ECG findings in asymptomatic athletes, with the prevalence of abnormal ECGs changing from 28.3% pre-race to 16.7% post-race (P=0.01).
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