Key result
Living at high altitude was associated with a significant reduction in minimum P-wave duration (P=0.029) compared to sea level, but no significant change in P-wave or QT dispersion.
Why the study?
Does living at high altitude affect P-wave and QT duration and dispersion in healthy people?
Cross-Sectional (n=76)
Yes
Does living at high altitude affect P-wave and QT duration and dispersion in healthy people?
p-value: p=0.029
Living at high altitude is associated with a significant reduction in minimum P-wave duration but does not significantly affect P-wave or QT dispersion in healthy individuals.
P-wave dispersion similar at moderate altitude; leaves open arrhythmia risk stratification utility in residents.
BACKGROUND: Short-term and long-term exposure to high altitude has been reported to change the surface electrocardiogram. We aimed to compare P-wave and QT parameters between healthy people living at high altitude and sea level. METHODS: Twelve-lead electrocardiographies of 38 healthy people living at sea level (Antalya,Turkey) and 38 healthy people living at high altitude (Van, Turkey; 1,700-1,800 m) were obtained. Minimum and maximum P-wave durations, P-wave dispersion, minimum and maximum corrected QT intervals, and corrected QT dispersion were calculated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in respect to heart rate and QT variables. Mean Pminimum values were slightly but significantly lower in the high altitude group (P = 0.029). Mean Pmaximum values tended to be lower at high altitude but did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.085). However, there was no significant difference in respect to P-wave dispersion values. CONCLUSIONS: In a sample of men and women living at high altitude in Turkey, significant reduction of Pminimum and borderline reduction of Pmaximum duration, but no significant change of P-wave and QT dispersion, were observed.
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Güntekin et al. (2008) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy (n=76). High altitude living (1,700-1,800 m) vs. Sea level living was evaluated on P-wave and QT parameters (p=0.029). Living at high altitude was associated with a significant reduction in minimum P-wave duration (P=0.029) compared to sea level, but no significant change in P-wave or QT dispersion.
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