Key result
Routine ECG screening in firefighters reveals conduction abnormalities in ~43% alongside stable coronary disease indicators.
Why the study?
Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of death among on-duty firefighters in the US, and the prevalence of pathoanatomical substrates related to SCD detected by ECG was unknown.
Cohort (n=1,041)
Routine 12-lead ECG screening in firefighters reveals a high prevalence of conduction abnormalities and coronary disease indicators, which may help identify those at risk for sudden cardiac death.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May flag SCD substrates in firefighters; leaves open whether ECG screening reduces on-duty deaths.
OBJECTIVE: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of death among on-duty firefighters in the US. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pathoanatomical substrates related to SCD in a cohort of firefighters over 9 years using 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG). METHOD: Twelve-lead ECGs were collected from 2011-2019 as part of a health program. Measurements (eg, QRS duration) and interpretation statements (eg, left ventricular hypertrophy) were obtained using automated software (MUSE, GE Healthcare). Descriptive, comparative, and longitudinal analyses were performed ( P < 0.05). RESULTS: A total of 1041 firefighters (mean age = 47.1 ± 13.6) were screened, recording 3142 ECGs. Among the ECGs ( n = 465) used for this analysis, 42.6% ( n = 198) had conduction abnormalities and 14.2% ( n = 66) with coronary disease indicators. There were no time-dependent changes. CONCLUSIONS: Routine 12-lead ECGs among firefighters may help detect structural heart defects that may increase the risk of SCD.
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Bae et al. (2025) conducted a cohort in Structural heart abnormalities (n=1,041). 12-lead electrocardiogram screening was evaluated on Prevalence of conduction abnormalities and coronary disease indicators. Routine 12-lead ECG screening in firefighters revealed conduction abnormalities in 42.6% and coronary disease indicators in 14.2% of analyzed ECGs, with no time-dependent changes over 9 years.
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