Key result
Early repolarization pattern in healthy young males was associated with significantly greater reductions in left ventricular end-diastolic volume and stroke volume following exercise.
Why the study?
The early repolarization pattern is associated with increased ventricular arrhythmia risk, but its potential influence on hemodynamic response to exercise remains unclear.
Does treadmill exercise induce different echocardiographic changes in healthy young males with early repolarization pattern compared to those without?
Observational (n=50)
Does treadmill exercise induce different echocardiographic changes in healthy young males with early repolarization pattern compared to those without?
Healthy young males with early repolarization pattern exhibit greater reductions in left ventricular end-diastolic volume and stroke volume following exercise, suggesting subtle differences in hemodynamic adaptation without overt structural abnormalities.
Subtle post-exercise hemodynamic differences in ERP+ males should not change practice; leaves open whether ERP variants affect adaptation or outcomes.
Background: The early repolarization pattern (ERP) on electrocardiography (ECG) has been associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias in susceptible individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of exercise on echocardiographic parameters to explore the potential influence of ERP on hemodynamic response. Methods: Twenty-five healthy, young males with ERP (ERP+ group) and 25 age-matched healthy males without ERP (ERP− group) were enrolled. Comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography was performed at rest and during the early recovery phase following a treadmill exercise test. Baseline values and exercise-induced changes in both conventional and strain-derived echocardiographic parameters were analyzed and compared between groups. Results: Anthropometric measures and resting vital signs were similar in both groups. At baseline, the ERP+ group had a shorter QRS duration. Both groups demonstrated excellent cardiovascular fitness, with comparable chronotropic and pressor responses to exercise. Resting and early recovery-phase echocardiographic parameters were largely similar between ERP+ and ERP− individuals, with no overt structural or functional abnormalities observed in either group. However, ERP+ individuals showed significantly greater reductions in left ventricular end-diastolic volume and stroke volume following exercise, suggesting a distinct volumetric response to physical stress. Conclusions: ERP in healthy young males is not associated with structural cardiac abnormalities or overt myocardial dysfunction. The observed exercise-induced volumetric changes may indicate subtle differences in hemodynamic adaptation, warranting further investigation.
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Kocsis et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Early repolarization pattern (n=50). Early repolarization pattern vs. No early repolarization pattern was evaluated on Exercise-induced changes in conventional and strain-derived echocardiographic parameters. Early repolarization pattern in healthy young males was associated with significantly greater reductions in left ventricular end-diastolic volume and stroke volume following exercise.
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