April 5, 2013British Journal of Sports Medicine
ECG and morphologic adaptations in Arabic athletes: are the European Society of Cardiology's recommendations for the interpretation of the 12-lead ECG appropriate for this ethnicity?
Key result
Arabic athletes had a similar prevalence of uncommon and training-unrelated ECG findings as Caucasian athletes (8.4% vs 6.9%), both significantly lower than Black African athletes (20%, p<0.001).
Why the study?
Are the European Society of Cardiology's recommendations for the interpretation of the 12-lead ECG appropriate for Arabic athletes?
Population
1,376 males, comprising 600 high-level Arabic athletes, 415 Black African athletes, 160 Caucasian athletes…
Comparison
ECG and echocardiographic screening vs Comparisons between Arabic athletes, Black…
Design
Cross-sectional
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Supports ESC ECG criteria applicability in Arabic athletes; extends ethnic comparisons yet remains hypothesis-generating from observational data.
Study Design
Type
Cross-Sectional (n=1,376)
Structured PICO
Are the European Society of Cardiology's recommendations for the interpretation of the 12-lead ECG appropriate for Arabic athletes?
P
Population
1,376 high-level male athletes (Arabic, Black African, Caucasian) and Arabic controls undergoing ECG and echocardiographic screening.
E
Exposure
ECG and echocardiographic screening (observational assessment)
C
Comparator
Comparisons between Arabic athletes, Black African athletes, Caucasian athletes, and Arabic controls
O
Outcome
Cardiac structure and function (LV dimensions, LV mass, LV hypertrophy) and frequency of uncommon and training-unrelated ECG findingssurrogate
Main Result
Absolute Event Rate: 8.4% vs 20%
p-value: p=<0.001
Arabic athletes have smaller cardiac dimensions than Black African and Caucasian athletes but similar rates of uncommon ECG findings as Caucasians, supporting the clinical relevance of ESC guidelines for ECG interpretation in this ethnicity.
Cite This Study
Riding et al. (2013) conducted a cross-sectional in High-level athletes (n=1,376). Arabic ethnicity vs. Black African and Caucasian ethnicities was evaluated on Prevalence of uncommon and training-unrelated ECG findings (p=<0.001). Arabic athletes had a similar prevalence of uncommon and training-unrelated ECG findings as Caucasian athletes (8.4% vs 6.9%), both significantly lower than Black African athletes (20%, p<0.001).